Citation

Schoenmakers D, Lamkaddem M, Suurmond J. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017; 14(10): e14101215.

Affiliation

Kenniscentrum Sociale Innovatie, Lectoraat Toegang tot het Recht, Hogeschool Utrecht, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.suurmond@amc.uva.nl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph14101215

PMID

29019961

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Despite high prevalence of mental problems among elderly migrants in The Netherlands, the use of psychosocial care services by this group is low. Scientific evidence points at the crucial role of social support for mental health and the use of psychosocial services. We therefore explored the role of social networks in the access to psychosocial care among elderly migrants in The Netherlands.

METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured group interviews and individual interviews. The eight group and eleven individual interviews (respectively n = 58 and n = 11) were conducted in The Netherlands with Turkish, Moroccan, Surinamese, and Dutch elderly. The data were analysed through coding and comparing fragments and recognizing patterns.

RESULTS: Support of the social network is important to navigate to psychosocial care and is most frequently provided by children. However, the social network of elderly migrants is generally not able to meet the needs of the elderly. This is mostly due to poor mental health literacy of the social network, taboo, and stigma around mental illness and the busy lives of the social network members.

CONCLUSIONS: Strategies to address help-seeking barriers should consider mental health literacy in elderly migrants as well as their social networks, and counteract taboos and stigma of mental health problems.

Language: en

Keywords

access to health services; ageing and diversity; diversity health care provision; elderly migrants; ethnic minority; health equity; social network