Furthering the public health response to migration, mental health and homelessness
OVERVIEW
Housing insecurity is a critical global problem, substantially affecting migrants, and is increasingly recognised as a significant driver of health issues, including mental health problems, influencing overall well-being. Struggling to find safe and suitable housing, along with the resulting uncertainty, and experiencing homelessness are connected to diminished quality of life across various dimensions.
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The interplay of individual-level factors, including mental health conditions, substance use, previous experiences of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual and/or gender identity, can contribute to an individual's vulnerability to homelessness.
Meso-level factors include not having enough community support and rental assistance, family breakdown, stigma, literacy, and housing options.
At the macro level, structural social and economic factors, such as the lack of affordable housing, economic downturn, discrimination, and unequal distribution of financial, educational, employment, and healthcare resources, and broader systems of support beyond housing contribute to homelessness.
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​For migrants from CaLD backgrounds, factors may be exacerbated in the context of racism, discrimination, visa status, language barriers, lack of networking, lack of understanding of and ability to use complex systems and services, ineligibility to services and challenges in recognition of qualifications.
A holistic approach involving government, community, and institutional collaboration is essential to support migrants from CaLD backgrounds at risk of homelessness.
​​The study
This study is investigating experiences of, and relationships between housing insecurity, mental health challenges, and quality of life among migrants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds in Australia. The project will employ a sequential explanatory mixed-methods research design in four phases.
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Phase 1: A scoping review, followed by quantitative data analysis provides insights through standardised mental health assessments and quality of life secondary data surveys. COMPLETE
Phase 2: a qualitative study is exploring lived experiences of housing insecurity among migrants from CaLD backgrounds in Australia.
Phase 3: A policy review will identify the strengths and gaps in current housing policy and inform policy responses for migrants from CaLD backgrounds facing housing insecurity in Australia.
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Phase 4: triangulation of quantitative and qualitative findings to inform tailored interventions for migrants from CaLD backgrounds facing housing insecurity in Australia.
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Research Team
The research is being conducted by Mr Habitu Birhan Eshetu (PhD Candidate) under the supervision of Associate Professor Gemma Crawford (Chief Investigator), Dr Krysten Blackford, Dr Roanna Lobo and Associate Professor Gizachew Tessema from the School of Population Health, Curtin University. The results of this research project will be used by Mr Habitu Birhan Eshetu to contribute towards obtaining a Doctor of Philosophy (Public Health) at Curtin University.
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Ethical approval: HRE2024-0717
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We are currently recruiting for Phase 2: Qualitative Interviews.
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We are looking for eligible people to participate in an interview to talk about lived experiences related to housing situations, demographics and life stressors. ​​
To participate you need to be:​​
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18 years of age or over; ​
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born overseas but currently reside in Australia; and ​experiencing, or have experienced challenges with housing in Australia, including experiences of housing insecurity*, or in a situation where housing insecurity is a possibility.​​
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*Housing insecurity includes:
lack of suitable accommodation (inadequate dwelling; no tenure, or tenure is short and not extendable, or does not allow control over or access to space for social relations),
no accommodation,
where they slept: in a: friend's/family's house, rough/outdoors/vehicle, boarding house, homeless shelter, hospital/drug treatment service, prison, other for the previous year.
Your participation will consist of a one-on-one interview with a researcher. Interviews will last around 1-2 hours, and you will be reimbursed for your time.​
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If you would like to participate or find out more, you can contact:
Mr Habitu Birhan Eshetu (PhD Candidate) at Curtin University
To participate
Scan the QR code below or visit the web link: https://curtin.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_296CnVOeONQ0hTM?Q_CHL=qr
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