Qualitative investigation of the mental health of migrants from former Yugoslavia: implications for epidemiological research

Background: While limited research has been conducted among displaced people in the UK it is clear that mental health problems in this group are more prevalent than among the general population. Aims: To develop a better understanding of pre and post migration factors that may affect mental health of forced and elective immigrants from the former Yugoslavia and to use data to inform the measures of exposures and outcomes in a subsequent epidemiological study. Method: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 asylum seekers, refugees and migrants from the former Yugoslavia. Data were analyzed systematically using the Framework Analysis Method. Result: Participants focussed on impaired social functioning rather than emotional or psychological problems when describing the impact of their experiences on their health. Concerns were raised about access of secondary care services and the treatment they received within primary care. Conclusion: Preliminary work enabled us to identify the terms people use to describe their experiences, and to generate additional hypotheses on service utilization that will be tested in a subsequent cohort study