What is it about?
This study looks at how physical health is affected by gender, social support, and religious beliefs among young Somali refugees living in Nairobi, Kenya. The research used a survey to gather information on physical health, psychosocial factors, and somatic symptoms (physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches caused by stress). The findings show that, for the group as a whole, both religious belief and somatic symptoms were important in predicting physical health. However, the study revealed significant gender differences. Female participants reported more somatic symptoms, which were linked to a decline in their physical health. In contrast, social support and religious belief had a protective, health-promoting effect only for male participants. These results suggest that health interventions for this population need to be tailored to address the specific needs and experiences of each gender.
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Why is it important?
This work is important because it highlights that a "one-size-fits-all" approach to health for refugee youth doesn't work. Refugees often face a decline in physical health the longer they are displaced, due to issues like poverty and cultural adjustment difficulties. While past studies have shown that factors like social support and religious belief can be protective, this research reveals a crucial layer of nuance: the impact of these factors is different for young men and women. By showing that social support and religious belief protect the physical health of young Somali men but not women in the same way, this study makes a valuable contribution to understanding health disparities in displaced populations. The findings, supported by the differential exposure theory, suggest that the distinct life experiences and stressors faced by each gender require different approaches to care. This research can help guide the development of more effective, gender-specific interventions that truly meet the needs of both young men and women.
Perspectives
This research underscores a powerful truth about the complexity of health in displaced communities: it's not just about what people have experienced, but also about how their gender and social context shape their ability to cope. It's striking that while both male and female participants reported similar levels of social support, that support had a protective effect only for the men. This suggests that for female refugees, the unique challenges they face, such as family care burdens or gender-based violence, may make them more vulnerable, even when they have supportive networks. The results of this study are a call to action for future research and practice to be more sensitive and responsive to these critical gender differences.
Dr. Hyojin Im
Virginia Commonwealth University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Gendered Health Outcome Among Somali Refugee Youth in Displacement: A Role of Social Support and Religious Belief, Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, September 2023, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01546-6.
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