title: Kurdish men's experiences of migration-related mental health issues.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The migration process may impose stress on the mental health of immigrants.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the experiences of immigrant men of Kurdish ethnicity during and after migration to Sweden with regard to mental health issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using the grounded theory method, we conducted a focus group interview with four Kurdish men and in-depth individual interviews with 10 other Kurdish men.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A model with two major themes and interlinked categories was developed. The themes were (1) protective factors for good mental health (sense of belonging, creation and re-creation of Kurdish identity, sense of freedom, satisfaction with oneself) and (2) risk factors for poor mental health (worry about current political situation in the home country, yearning, lack of sense of freedom, dissatisfaction with Swedish society).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides insights into the psychological and emotional experiences of immigrant men of Kurdish ethnicity during and after migration to Sweden. It is important for primary health care providers to be aware of the impact that similar migration-related and life experiences have on the health status of immigrants, and also to be aware that groups are comprised of unique individuals with differing experiences and reactions to these experiences. The findings highlight the common themes of the men's experiences and suggest ways to ameliorate mental health issues, including feeling like one is seen as an individual, is a full participant in society, and can contribute to one's own culture.
authors.affiliation: Center for Family and Community Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. marina.taloyan@sll.se
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taloyan
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Windi
authors.forename: Leena Maria
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Nuha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saleh-Stattin
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D054526:Men's Health; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D058007:Physicians, Primary Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D013637:Tape Recording; D055815:Young Adult