Study published: Pre-migration trauma and post-migration health burdens among sexuality and gender minority forced migrants
A recent study by U-CARE’s associated researchers Maria Gottvall, Tommy Carlson, and others, explores the pre-migration trauma and post-migration health burdens of sexuality and gender minority forced migrants in Sweden. The study highlights the impact of societal oppression and violence in participants’ countries of origin and the continued health burdens they face during resettlement in Sweden.
To the left: Maria Gottvall, Associate Professor at the Red Cross University College and associate researcher to U-CARE. To the right: Tommy Carlsson, Associate Professor at the Red Cross University College and associate researcher to U-CARE.
The study included 34 participants who were interviewed while living in Sweden. The findings reveal that sexuality and gender minority forced migrants endure physical violence, torture, conversion attempts, and death threats before migration. Escaping these dangers comes with significant risks. Even after reaching Sweden, many participants continued to experience mental and physical health burdens, along with loneliness and social isolation.
Access to adequate support emerged as an important concern. Participants reported with a range of post-migration health burdens, including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression. The study underscores the importance of ensuring that migrants identifying as LGBTQ+ receive proper support to address both their past traumas and current mental health needs.
– Our study underscores the need for support from society and interventions tailored to the severe challenges faced by sexuality and gender minority forced migrants, says Tommy Carlsson, Associate Professor and Project Leader. Peer support interventions may enhance resilience and reduce loneliness in this population. Further research is needed to determine how these interventions should be designed.
Miro Anter
Link to the article
Read the full article, ‘Pre-migration trauma and post-migration health burdens among sexuality and gender minority forced migrants: an exploratory qualitative study’. It is written by Tommy Carlsson, Rummage Isaac, Ronah Ainembabazi, and Maria Gottvall.