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Expectations of the future: Immigrant, asylum seeker, or refugee – does it matter?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2009

Valentina C. Iversen ,
John E. Berg  and
Arne E. Vaaler
Valentina C. Iversen*
Affiliation:
Associated Professor/Research Consultant, St. Olav's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Østmarka University Hospital, Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
John E. Berg
Affiliation:
Senior Consultant in Psychiatry, Blakstad Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Professor, Oslo University College, Pilestredet, Oslo, Norway
Arne E. Vaaler
Affiliation:
Senior Consultant in Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Department of Neuroscience, NTNU, Trondheim, Norway
*
Correspondence to: Valentina C. Iversen, St. Olav's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry Østmarka, Postal Box 3008, Lade, 7441 Trondheim, Norway. E-mail: Valentina.iversen@ntnu.no
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Abstract

Background: Refugees and asylum seekers may have other feelings and expectations about the future than immigrants do. The aim of this study was to explore and analyse the expectations for the future among populations of immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees admitted to Norwegian acute psychiatric departments.

Method: In a prospective study in the period 2005 to 2008, data were collected from two acute psychiatric departments.

Results: There were 48 immigrants, 24 refugees, and 21 asylum seekers. A significantly higher proportion of asylum seekers than refugees had nightmares (p = 0.04), feelings of guilt (p = 0.04) and feelings of hopelessness (p = 0.04). A significantly higher proportion of asylum seekers than immigrants had sleeping problems (p = 0.03), nightmares (p = 0.03), feelings of hopelessness (p = 0.03) and reduced appetite (p = 0.04). Significantly more asylum seekers than refugees maintained that life would change for the better over time (Z = 2.0; p = 0.04). More refugees than asylum seekers indicated problems judging life ten years from now (Z = 2.1; p = 0.04).

Conclusion: Being an asylum seeker seems to incur greater distress and higher negative expectations for the future. Preventive strategies should be created to improve refugees’ and asylum seekers’ life in exile. Priority and speed in processing of asylum cases should be given higher priority.

Keywords

Immigrantsrefugeesasylum seekershopelessness
Type
Original Paper
Information
Journal of Psychiatric Intensive Care , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , June 2010 , pp. 23 - 30
Copyright
Copyright © NAPICU 2010

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