Mental ill health and diversity : researching human suffering and resilience in a multicultural context

The general objective of this dissertation was to study the putative underutilisation
of mental health services in a multicultural context. The method followed a
qualitative interview-based naturalistic approach, and the interview format was
primarily semi-structured. Special attention in the method section has been given
to the role of the interpreter in research.

For some time the research areas of underutilisation of mental health care among
immigrants, and that of children of immigrant parents suffering from mental
illness, have been dominated by a vulnerability approach. Results from the
present thesis show that this one-dimensional picture of immigrants as a category
associated with psychopathology ought to be balanced with that of strength and
resilience.

It was also found in the studied group that underutilisation of mental health care
is partly due to the perception of mental conditions as normal life crises, rather
than illnesses. Thus, instead of focusing on health care resources, interviewees
conveyed their need for greater social and financial support.

The results of this study suggest that there is a lack of extended possibilities,
for both adults and children of immigrant background, to express their own
needs outside a predefined context. Investigating aspects of resilience in future
research on mental ill health in multicultural contexts would challenge the focus
on vulnerability, and perhaps so promote resilience.