“Medicine doesn’t cure my worries”: Understanding the drivers of mental distress of older Nepalese women living in the UK

Journal article


Sah, L., Burgess, R. and Sah, R. 2018. “Medicine doesn’t cure my worries”: Understanding the drivers of mental distress of older Nepalese women living in the UK. Global Public Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2018.1473888
AuthorsSah, L., Burgess, R. and Sah, R.
Abstract

The mental health of migrant communities is an important public health concern. A growing body of literature suggests that wider social determinants significantly contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of older migrants in their host countries. Despite the increasing population of Nepalese migrants in the UK, there is little research exploring the mental health needs of this community. This article explores older Nepalese women’s experiences of drivers of mental distress in London. Data was collected using in-depth interviews with 20 older Nepalese women living in the London Borough of Greenwich. Grounded thematic analysis of women’s narratives identified six overarching factors contributing to their emotional distress that pose significant risks to their mental health: absence of family, language barriers, housing problems, physical illness, lack of appropriate support, fears of death, and inadequate financial resources. In many cases, the impact of these factors was felt in combination rather than isolation, often influenced by cultural dynamics. Findings highlight that re-settlement in the absence of family is at the heart of emotional challenges for older Nepalese women. The paper concludes with a series of recommendations for supporting processes of settlement to mitigate this risk among older Nepalese women in the UK.

Year2018
JournalGlobal Public Health
PublisherTaylor & Francis
ISSN1744-1692
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2018.1473888
Publication dates
Online15 May 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited19 Jun 2018
Accepted01 Apr 2018
Accepted author manuscript
Output statusPublished
Permalink -

https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/88v43/-medicine-doesn-t-cure-my-worries-understanding-the-drivers-of-mental-distress-of-older-nepalese-women-living-in-the-uk

  • 130
    total views
  • 295
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Association between knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey.
Bolarinwa, O., Ajayi, K. and Sah, R. 2022. Association between knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus transmission and consistent condom use among sexually active men in Nigeria: An analysis of 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey. PLOS Global Public Health. 2 (3), p. e0000223. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000223
Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic: A genuine concern for people from disadvantaged community and low-income families in Province 2 of Nepal.
Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Shah, Sunil Kumar, Sah, Lalita Kumari, Karki, K. and Sah, R. 2021. Food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic: A genuine concern for people from disadvantaged community and low-income families in Province 2 of Nepal. PLoS ONE. 16 (7), p. e0254954. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254954
Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching
Sah, R. 2021. Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching. Asian EFL Journal. 28 (3), pp. 66-85.
The association of sleep problem, dietary habits and physical activity with weight status of adolescents in Nepal.
Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Dahal, Babita and Sah, Rajeeb Kumar 2021. The association of sleep problem, dietary habits and physical activity with weight status of adolescents in Nepal. BMC Public Health. 21 (1), p. 938. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10985-5
The impact of COVID-19 on BAME populations: a systematic review of experiences and perspectives
Wright, T., Keval, H., Keys, C., Nanayakkara, G., Onyejekwe, C., Sah, R. and Smith, R. 2021. The impact of COVID-19 on BAME populations: a systematic review of experiences and perspectives. PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews.
Health inequalities and ethnic vulnerabilities during COVID-19 in the UK: A reflection on the PHE reports
Keys, C., Nanayakkara, G., Onyejekwe, C., Sah, R. and Wright, T. 2021. Health inequalities and ethnic vulnerabilities during COVID-19 in the UK: A reflection on the PHE reports. Feminist Legal Studies. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10691-020-09446-y
Impact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in Province-2 of Nepal: A qualitative study among community members and stakeholders
Singh, D., Sunuwar, Dev Ram, Shah, Sunil Kumar, Karki, Kshitij, Sah, Lalita Kumari, Adhikari, Bipin and Sah, Rajeeb Kumar 2020. Impact of COVID-19 on health services utilization in Province-2 of Nepal: A qualitative study among community members and stakeholders. BMC Health Services Research. 21 (174). https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-131586/v1
Conducting qualitative interviews using virtual communication tools amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A learning opportunity for future research
Sah, L. and Sah, R. 2020. Conducting qualitative interviews using virtual communication tools amid the COVID-19 pandemic: A learning opportunity for future research . Journal of Nepal Medical Association. 58 (232), pp. 1103-6. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.5738
Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching
Sah, R. 2020. Students as partners in learning and teaching: Assessing the effectiveness of student evaluation of teaching.
HeEL Talk Collaboration and Interdisciplinary, Public Health England, and the Disproportionate Impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities
Wright, T., Nanayakkara, G., Keys, C., Onyejekwe, C. and Sah, R. 2020. HeEL Talk Collaboration and Interdisciplinary, Public Health England, and the Disproportionate Impact of Covid-19 on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.
A response to PHE's reports on disparities in risks and outcomes of COVID-19 for BAME communities
Keys, C., Nanayakkara, G., Onyejekwe, C., Sah, R. and Wright, T. 2020. A response to PHE's reports on disparities in risks and outcomes of COVID-19 for BAME communities.
Perceptions and experiences of health and social care utilisation of the UK-Nepali population
Simkhada, B,, Sah, R., Mercel-Sanca, A., Van Teijlingen, E., Bhurtyal, Y.M. and Regmi, P. 2020. Perceptions and experiences of health and social care utilisation of the UK-Nepali population. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-020-00976-w
Sexuality and secret intimacy: negotiating sexual relationships amongst Nepalese young people in the UK
Sah, R. K 2019. Sexuality and secret intimacy: negotiating sexual relationships amongst Nepalese young people in the UK.
Ethnography and emotions: new directions for critical reflexivity within contemporary qualitative health care research
Phillips, A., Blackman, S. and Sah, R. 2019. Ethnography and emotions: new directions for critical reflexivity within contemporary qualitative health care research. in: Hayre, C. M. and Muller, D. (ed.) Enhancing healthcare and rehabilitation: the impact of qualitative research London CRC Press.
Positive sexual health: an ethnographic exploration of social and cultural factors affecting sexual lifestyles and relationships of Nepalese young people in the UK
Sah, R. 2017. Positive sexual health: an ethnographic exploration of social and cultural factors affecting sexual lifestyles and relationships of Nepalese young people in the UK. PhD Thesis Canterbury Christ Church University Faculty of Health and Wellbeing
Parental attitudes and beliefs towards childhood immunisations: exploring parental attitudes and beliefs which influence their decision-making towards childhood immunisations in UK
Sah, R. 2011. Parental attitudes and beliefs towards childhood immunisations: exploring parental attitudes and beliefs which influence their decision-making towards childhood immunisations in UK. VDM Verlag Dr. Müller.
Health and wellbeing of the Nepalese population: access and experiences of health and social care services in the UK
Simkhada, B., Sah, R., Mercel-Sanca, A., Teijlingen, E., Devkota, B. and Bhurtyal, Y. 2015. Health and wellbeing of the Nepalese population: access and experiences of health and social care services in the UK. UK