Peer support among immigrant women to promote their pyschological wellbeing
Wanjohi, Carolyne Wangari (2011)
Wanjohi, Carolyne Wangari
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2011
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201105066657
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201105066657
Tiivistelmä
Over the years Finland has become more culturally diverse; it has changed from a real immigration destination. Finland has become a real immigration destination; experiencing a dramatic growth in the foreign- born population and more have arrived in the country. Most immigrant women in Finland have arrived into Finland from the neighboring countries: Russia, Estonia and Sweden. Immigration affects the immigrant family, its members and has a significant impact on the society, there is an increasing need to unite, inform and educate immigrant women on available resources around them. This thesis study was based under EMY (Espoo mental health association) in Espoo, Finland. Emy´s peer support activities takes place in a non hospital setting. EMY aims to unite, activate its resident members and the neighboring municipalities, by organizing rehabilitative activities, study tours and trips for the members.
This is a qualitative study it aims to explore how immigrant women can use peer support as a tool to foster their psychological wellbeing based on literature review. Data was collected through literature review and two openended interviews conducted via telephone to EMY workers in Espoo (N=2). Data was analyzed through content analysis. The content of immigrant women’s psychological wellbeing was subdivided into two sections: (1) Immigrant women psychological wellbeing (2) Factors affecting their psychological wellbeing. Peer support and its significance on immigrant women’s psychological wellbeing are also expounded.
Conclusions from the findings showed that when immigrants actively participate in peer support activities they are empowered. In these activities they are socially integrated in the society hence they feel empowered, more confident and loneliness is reduced. Peer support activities foster hope and expectation for change. These women share a mutual understanding and trust that enables them to share their experiences with each other and support each other emotionally. By helping each other, inter-personal learning is enhanced; members going through the same life transition encourage each other and give each other advices and possible coping strategies. Findings also revealed that immigration distress is quite common among immigrant women living in societies that do not support pluralism. Research identifies immigration distress as dealing with stressful aspects of the immigration experiences. , ,
This is a qualitative study it aims to explore how immigrant women can use peer support as a tool to foster their psychological wellbeing based on literature review. Data was collected through literature review and two openended interviews conducted via telephone to EMY workers in Espoo (N=2). Data was analyzed through content analysis. The content of immigrant women’s psychological wellbeing was subdivided into two sections: (1) Immigrant women psychological wellbeing (2) Factors affecting their psychological wellbeing. Peer support and its significance on immigrant women’s psychological wellbeing are also expounded.
Conclusions from the findings showed that when immigrants actively participate in peer support activities they are empowered. In these activities they are socially integrated in the society hence they feel empowered, more confident and loneliness is reduced. Peer support activities foster hope and expectation for change. These women share a mutual understanding and trust that enables them to share their experiences with each other and support each other emotionally. By helping each other, inter-personal learning is enhanced; members going through the same life transition encourage each other and give each other advices and possible coping strategies. Findings also revealed that immigration distress is quite common among immigrant women living in societies that do not support pluralism. Research identifies immigration distress as dealing with stressful aspects of the immigration experiences.