The Impact of Migration on Psychosocial Well-Being: A Study of Student Migrants in Resettlement State

Abstract

Introduction: The stresses of the migration process when combined with a lack of social support, a discrepancy between achievement and expectations, economic hardships, racial discrimination and harassment, and a lack of access to proper housing, medical care, and religious practice can lead to poor psychosocial health in student migrants. Thus, the study was conducted to assess the psychosocial problems among student migrants. Materials and Methods: A mixed method research approach with sequential explanatory research design was used. For the quantitative data, 50 student migrants studying in Rufaida College of Nursing were selected using systematic random sampling technique using self-constructed psychosocial problem assessment scale. The data was analysed using both inferential and descriptive statistics. Fisher exact test was used to determine relationship of psychosocial problem scores with selected demographic variables. The mean, modified mean and rank order of psychosocial problems faced by student migrants were computed. For the qualitative data, focus group discussion was conducted. Result: The study revealed that 74% of the student migrants had mild psychosocial problems. A significant association was found between the current living status of the student migrant and the psychosocial problems faced by them with p value 0.011. The content analysis of the narratives of student migrants gave the following themes: 1) Perceptions of student migrants related to the city of migration: 'Flavour of the city', 2) Challenges faced by student migrants during the phase of migration and how they have adapted to it: Resilience visa -vis Challenges and 3) Viewpoints of student migrants about the effect of migration on their mental health: Migration-Loneliness. Conclusion: There is an immense need of sensitization of the university authorities to address the concerns of students from other states and take initiatives to overcome the gap between locals and migrants.