Housing and health for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds: findings from an Australian qualitative longitudinal study.

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  • Author(s): Ziersch A;Ziersch A; Walsh M; Walsh M; Due C; Due C; Due C; Due C
  • Source:
    BMC public health [BMC Public Health] 2024 Apr 24; Vol. 24 (1), pp. 1138. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Apr 24.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: BioMed Central Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 100968562 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1471-2458 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 14712458 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Public Health Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Original Publication: London : BioMed Central, [2001-
    • Subject Terms:
      Refugees*/psychology ; Refugees*/statistics & numerical data ; Housing*/statistics & numerical data ; Qualitative Research*; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Longitudinal Studies ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; South Australia ; Health Status ; Young Adult ; Social Determinants of Health ; Interviews as Topic
    • Abstract:
      Background: For people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds, housing and the re-establishment of home are key social determinants of health. Research highlights the inequities faced by asylum seekers and refugees in the housing markets of high-income resettlement countries, resulting in their overrepresentation in precarious housing. There is also emerging evidence of the relationship between housing and health for this population relating to lack of affordability, insecurity of tenure, and poor suitability (physical and social). The mechanisms by which housing impacts health for this group within these housing contexts, is however, understudied - especially overtime. This qualitative longitudinal study aimed to address this gap.
      Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds in South Australia, recruited through a community survey. Thematic analysis of interview data across three time points over three years identified four material and psychosocial mechanisms through which housing contributed to health outcomes via psychological and physical stressors - physical environment; stability; safety; and social connections, support and services. The study also identified additional health promoting resources, particularly elements of ontological security. The dynamics of these indirect and direct mechanisms were further illuminated by considering the impact of international, national and local contexts and a range of intersecting social factors including gender, country/culture of origin, family circumstances, immigration status, language skills, income, and health status.
      Conclusions: Rebuilding a sense of home and ontological security is a key resettlement priority and crucial for wellbeing. More comprehensive strategies to facilitate this for refugees and asylum seekers are required.
      (© 2024. The Author(s).)
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    • Grant Information:
      LP130100782 Australian Research Council
    • Contributed Indexing:
      Keywords: Asylum seeker; Housing; Integration; Longitudinal; Neighbourhood; Ontological security/insecurity; Qualitative; Refugee; Social determinant
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20240423 Date Completed: 20240424 Latest Revision: 20240426
    • Publication Date:
      20240426
    • Accession Number:
      PMC11041023
    • Accession Number:
      10.1186/s12889-024-18616-5
    • Accession Number:
      38654272