Most Norwegian studies have concluded that young immigrants report more symptoms of mental health problems than their peers in the majority population. Additionally, previous findings suggest that utilization rates of specialist psychiatric services are lower. Current knowledge on the burden of mental disorders and causes of differences in service utilization is, however, limited.
The current project combines qualitative and quantitative methods in order to enhance knowledge on mental health and utilization of psychiatric care services in the immigrant population. Register data are used to assess psychiatric care utilization among individuals between 18 and 39 years originating from Somalia, Poland, Iran and Pakistan. The same data are utilized to assess the prevalence of various psychiatric disorders in these groups.
The project will also include qualitative interviews focusing on how patients with mental disorders experience their path to, and encounter with, mental health care. The aim of these interviews is to gain knowledge of the factors that facilitate and constrain the use of these services.