An exploration of UK migrants and refugees’ experiences and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Obi Oriaku, Ezinne (2024) An exploration of UK migrants and refugees’ experiences and mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Background:
This thesis explores the perspectives and experiences of UK migrants and refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic, as related to impacts on mental health.

Design:
As part of the portfolio, a systematic review was conducted, synthesising existing research on the experiences of migrants and refugees already present in the UK during the pandemic. 12 studies were included in the systematic review, and qualitative data relating to the perspectives of migrants was extracted and synthesised. Data was synthesised using a narrative synthesis method. A qualitative empirical study was conducted to explore the experiences and mental health impacts of migrant nurses recruited to work in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using semi-structured interviews, data was collected from 11 participants recruited from a single NHS Mental Health Trust. Data was analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA).

Results:
The systematic review results highlighted three main themes: (i) adapting and coping, (ii) experiences of disturbance and (iii) systemic issues. The systematic review results showed that migrants and refugees in the UK faced challenges adapting to COVID safety measures at work and at home, heightened by their migrant, sexual and ethnic identities. Due to inadequacies in support systems, many relied on personal resilience strategies during the pandemic and lockdowns, particularly for those difficulties related to their migrant identities. The empirical study found four overarching themes each with sub-themes: ‘shattered promises about hopes for the future’, 'being an outsider', ‘the strain of adaptation’, and 'having to survive'. The work revealed that migrant healthcare professionals require more support with professional integration and mental health needs than is currently provided by the NHS.

Conclusions:
The findings from both the systematic review and empirical study are discussed and critically evaluated at length within this thesis portfolio.

Key words: migrant, immigrant, refugee, asylum seeker, foreign, overseas, NHS, nurses.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2024 12:06
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2024 12:06
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/97603
DOI:

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