Thesis
Mental health experiences among African migrants in Scotland : the role of cultural beliefs, stigma and discrimination in attitudes to help-seeking and behaviours
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2025
- Thesis identifier
- T17524
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 201956003
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- Migration from the Global South to the Global North has a long history, yet the literature addressing the elevated risk of mental health issues among first-generation migrants remains limited. Existing research highlights a notable prevalence of conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety, particularly affecting this demographic. Moreover, the higher susceptibility of Black African and Caribbean individuals to being "sectioned" under the Mental Health Act in the UK adds urgency to the need for focused investigation in this area. This study investigates the factors influencing mental health attitudes and engagement with support services among Sub-Saharan African migrants in Scotland. This study focuses on migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa who have moved to Scotland. The policies and practices in Scotland advocate for inclusive mental health services however these are not reflected in participants’ accounts. Qualitative research was undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this involved two focus groups (15 people in total) and interviews with 17 first generation African migrants with lived experiences of ill mental health. The concepts of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality were used to analyse the various structural and individual barriers that African migrants found to impact their engagement with mental health support. The findings revealed a central theme of pre-migration stigmatisation intersecting with perceived institutional barriers to seeking help. Post-migration challenges, including antiimmigration discourses and racialised experiences, further compounded the difficulties faced during and after migration. The absence of a conducive space for discussing ongoing challenges at personal and institutional levels perpetuated barriers to seeking help before the onset of mental health issues. This research contributes new knowledge to research with migrant groups by offering nuanced insights into the multifaceted barriers to help-seeking within the context of the African migrant experience in Scotland. By tracing participants' experiences before they left their countries of origin in Africa to post-migration, the study demonstrates how intersecting social, cultural, and political conditions sustain mental health disparities within this group.
- Advisor / supervisor
- Sime, Daniela
- Quinn, Neil
- Resource Type
- DOI
Relations
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PDF of thesis T17524 | 2025-11-11 | Public | Download |