Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Distress of Myanmar Refugees in Malaysia

Low, Sew Kim; Kok, Jin Kuan; Lee, Wan Ying

doi:10.7763/ijssh.2014.v4.346

Cited by 23 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Emotional distress among this sample of Dari‐ and Arabic‐speaking refugees in Malaysia was high, as nearly all participants screened positive for distress and the average score was more than three times the cut‐off score on the RHS‐15 symptom scale. These results coincide with the findings of previous research indicating a high prevalence of mental health concerns among refugees in‐transit (Afifi et al, ; Chan & Loveridge, ; Low et al, ), and point to the need for increased attention to basic services, rights and mental wellbeing among refugees residing in Kuala Lumpur. While additional research is needed to understand the lived experiences of refugees in Malaysia, particularly among groups who are not from Myanmar, the high levels of distress observed likely stem from uncertainty about the future, economic insecurity, harassment and risks of arrest and a lack of access to resources experienced in the Malaysian context (Buscher & Heller, ; Smith, ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…We recommend that agencies seek to incorporate group approaches as a potentially cost-effective and socially enhancing medium for Dari-and Arabic-speaking refugees in Malaysia, and elsewhere, after examining need, interest and acceptability. Recognising that isolation and an absence of social support can cause mental health issues (Gorst-Unsworth & Goldenberg, 1998;Kim, 2016;Low et al, 2014;Miller et al, 2008;Miller & Rasmussen, 2010;Pernice & Brook, 1996), and social connection serves to enhance wellbeing (Schweitzer et al, 2007;Simich, Beiser, Stewart, & Mwakarimba, 2005), groups may provide important relational opportunities alongside skill-building and emotional distress symptom alleviation. Additional research is needed to adapt and test potential group models in various settings, particularly among refugees in countries of first asylum.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The stressors emphasised by participants were primarily related to the experience of being displaced (Gorst-Unsworth & Goldenberg, 1998;Low et al, 2014), highlighting the urgent need for practitioners and policy makers to address the circumstances of the millions of people living in the uncertainty associated with forced displacement. UNHCR and its member countries could streamline the refugee registration process.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Refugees often experience trauma and mental distress, both before leaving their country of origin and when seeking shelter in a country of first asylum (Chan & Loveridge, 1987;Hunt, 2002;Low, Kok, & Lee, 2014). States of severe stress due to overwhelming circumstances and disturbing experiences can lead to difficulties in emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, self-perception, relationships, somatisation and hopelessness (McFarlane, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Experiencing or witnessing traumatic events (such as death threats and torture), exposure to war, financial insecurity and political persecution have been associated with higher rates of mental distress among refugees internationally (Alemi, James, Siddiq, & Montgomery, 2015;Almqvist & Brandell-Forsberg, 1997;Keller et al, 2006;Momartin, Silove, Manicavasagar, & Steel, 2004;Thabet, Abed, & Vostanis, 2004). Displacement-related stressors such as social isolation, poverty, unemployment, a lack of social support, discrimination and a loss of meaningful activity play a major role in causing mental health concerns among refugees (Gorst-Unsworth & Goldenberg, 1998;Kim, 2016;Low et al, 2014;Miller, Omidian, Rasmussen, Yaqubi, & Daudzai, 2008;Miller & Rasmussen, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Assessing mental health and service needs among refugees in Malaysia

2018

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Refugees in Malaysia often experience economic insecurity and poverty, poor health, poor mental wellbeing and limited legal rights. Using a survey with quantitative measures and open‐ended questions, we assessed socio‐demographic characteristics, mental health (RHS‐15), and service needs, including interest in group support services, among 86 Dari‐ and Arabic‐speaking refugees living in Kuala Lumpur. High levels of emotional distress were found, as nearly all participants scored positive for distress and average scores were 2.5 times above the cut‐off signifying distress. Distress scores did not vary based on most factors examined, although being married was associated with lower levels of distress. All but one participant expressed interest in participating in a support group. Barriers to potential participation included childcare, sickness and transportation. Additional mental health and social supports are needed among refugees residing in Malaysia. Key Practitioner Message: • Emotional distress is high among Dari‐ and Arabic‐speaking refugees sampled in Malaysia; • Participants expressed strong interest in accessing supportive mental health services, including group supports.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessing mental health and service needs among refugees in Malaysia

2018

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Stress, mental health, and self-care among refugee teachers in Malaysia.

Gosnell¹,

O’Neal²,

Atapattu³

2021

Asian American Journal of Psychology

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The mental health of post-conflict refugee teachers is understudied, yet critically important given the current refugee crisis which has displaced more than 70 million people (UNHCR, 2019). Teachers in hidden refugee schools 1 are often refugees themselves, have little teacher education, and are faced with overwhelming classroom demands and other unique stressors. This study utilizes a mixed method design to examine stress, mental health (i.e., depression, and anxiety), and self-care among teachers in hidden refugee schools in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Quantitative data are archival, collected in Malaysia in 2013. Quantitative study participants included 97 primarily Burmese refugee teachers and 26 nonrefugee teachers living in Malaysia. Quantitative measures included (a) Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS); (b) a self-care strategies questionnaire, and (c) a demographic questionnaire. Quantitative results suggest that refugee teachers have significantly higher

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Refugee school consultation effects on teacher self-efficacy, self-care, and peer consultation skills.

O'Neal,

Khong,

Khong

et al. 2024

School Psychology

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Guided by a participatory culture-specific consultation model, this study contributes to an understanding of the effectiveness of school consultation with teachers of refugee students. The goal of the present study was to determine the impact of an individual consultation intervention with refugee teachers on their selfefficacy and self-care, in addition to their peer consultation skills. The participants were 109 teachers at refugee schools in Malaysia, most of whom were refugees (91% refugees; 73% female). Of the 109 participants, 84 teachers were coconsultants with psychology graduate students; all 109 were individual consultees. The study used a two-timepoint design with the outcomes of self-reported teacher self-care; teacher self-efficacy in the management of refugee student emotion regulation and emotional engagement; and consultation skills. Additionally, consultee-reported goal attainment, consultation effectiveness, and satisfaction were collected. The findings suggested significant latent growth from baseline to post-intervention in refugee teacher self-care and self-efficacy in the management of student emotion regulation and emotional engagement in addition to the growth of their consultation skills. The effect sizes were large for latent growth of teacher self-efficacy in promoting student emotion regulation, behavior, and emotional engagement (d = 1.19, 1.01, 1.02); the effect size for self-care was medium (d = .62). Growth was not dependent on dosage, age, gender, or consultee education, with the exception of teacher self-efficacy in management of emotional engagement which was dependent on dosage. After the intervention, the consultees reported that they completed their consultation goals at a higher level than expected, were satisfied with the consultation, and found the consultants to be helpful. The discussion situates the findings in relevant theory, research, and the culture-specific context. Impact and ImplicationsThis study suggests that school consultation has an impact on teacher self-efficacy in promoting refugee student emotion regulation and engagement at refugee schools in Malaysia, in addition to teacher self-care and peer consultation skills. The results hold implications for school consultation promoting traumainformed, socioemotional supports provided by teachers to marginalized students in a global context.

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Perceived Discrimination and Psychological Distress of Myanmar Refugees in Malaysia

Cited by 23 publications

References 6 publications

Assessing mental health and service needs among refugees in Malaysia

Assessing mental health and service needs among refugees in Malaysia

Stress, mental health, and self-care among refugee teachers in Malaysia.

Refugee school consultation effects on teacher self-efficacy, self-care, and peer consultation skills.

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