Systemic and Psychological Factors Impacting Migrant Mental Health in the UK

This thesis explores factors impacting on migrant’s well-being in the UK through both the literature review and empirical research. In contributing to the literature basis, it is hoped to inform future service structures and provisions to better support the growing migrant population of the UK. Paper 1 presents a scoping literature review of qualitative and quantitative studies examining barriers migrants face in accessing mental health services in the UK. Across fourteen studies, the review identified two factors encompassing five key barriers. ‘Pull factors’ referring to factors reducing help-seeking behaviours in the migrant population and pulling individuals towards alternative and community-based solutions. These include self-and-communitystigma, trust, alternative support and gender. ‘Push factors’ refer to issues regarding service structure and delivery, cultural competence of services and stigma that pushes migrants away from services. The review concluded that service level changes as well as outreach familiarisation programmes are warranted. Paper 2 is a cross-sectional, quantitative research study exploring whether migratory grief, acculturation, years since migration, gender, education, employment or relationship status predict psychological well-being for Greek and Greek Cypriot migrants in the UK. An online survey was completed by 152 individuals. A correlation and multiple regression analysis showed that migratory grief negatively predicted well-being. Low acculturation through maintaining a high ethnic Greek identity, predicted more positive well-being. The interaction of migratory grief and acculturation has a moderating effect on their predictive relationship of well-being. Clinical implications, limitations and future recommendations are considered. Paper 3 is an executive summary, written for the Greek and Greek Cypriot UK population, the wider migrant population of the UK, and systems and individuals involved for providing care to migrants. It gives an overview of background, method, findings, implications, limitations, and recommendations. It was co-produced with three UK Greeks to ensure readability and cultural responsiveness.