Living situations among undocumented migrants in Sweden: The effects of exclusion from fundamental housing rights

Today, there is limited knowledge about the living conditions of undocumented migrants (UMs) in Sweden. It is hypothesised that Ums’ living conditions increases cases of mental illness among them. The aim of this study was twofold, to explore: the housing situation of UMs in Sweden, and its associat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of social welfare 2021-04, Vol.30 (2), p.239-248
Main Authors: Wirehag, Matti, Andersson, Lena, Hjern, Anders, Ascher, Henry
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cross-sectional studies
Health problems
Health status
Homeless people
homelessness
Housing
Living conditions
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
Mental disorders
Mental health
Mental health care
Migrants
Noncitizens
right to shelter
Social services
Social Work
Socialt arbete
Trauma
Traumatic stress
Undocumented immigrants
undocumented migrants
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Summary:Today, there is limited knowledge about the living conditions of undocumented migrants (UMs) in Sweden. It is hypothesised that Ums’ living conditions increases cases of mental illness among them. The aim of this study was twofold, to explore: the housing situation of UMs in Sweden, and its association to their state of mental health. A cross‐sectional study with adult UMs was conducted in the three largest cities in Sweden in 2014–2016. A total of 104 UMs participated. Based on the results, we can conclude that UMs living in the most vulnerable housing situations have worse outcomes in their mental health evaluations. Depression, anxiety and post‐traumatic stress disorder are more common among UMs who are living in temporary accommodation or sharing a flat with others than among those who do not. UMs are living in housing situations that would force local social service to act were it not that they have UM status.
ISSN:1369-6866
1468-2397
1468-2397
DOI:10.1111/ijsw.12461