Migrants In Finland Research Articles

Recognition and attunement in migration research

This commentary reflects upon Miriam Tedeschi’s (2021) use of Gilbert Simondon’s work to examine the lived experience of irregular migrants in Finland. It considers what Simondon’s ideas illuminate as well as what they appear to leave relatively unexamined. If we are to understand the lived experience of irregular migrants, it is argued that we need theoretical resources that more fully foreground social and political processes of welcome/unwelcome, recognition/disregard and hospitality/hostility. To the extent that Simondon’s work supports only a generalised consideration of such matters, it might usefully be supplemented by perspectives that address them in more depth. In this regard, it is suggested that postcolonial and critical geographical scholarship could enable fuller recognition of and attunement to the complex lived experience of irregular migrants.

What to Wear for Whiteness?

Drawing on two ethnographic projects, one among Russian-speaking women engaged in commercial sex, the other among young Russian-speaking migrants in Finland, we interrogate how the construct of Eastern European female body is positioned in relation to the norm of (Western) Europeanness and white femininity. We show how Russian-speaking migrant women in Finland learn of their ‘Russianness’ and ‘Easternness’ through the circulation of the ‘whore’ stigma. We analyse these processes of racialisation and sexualisation in the context of the Finnish national project based on gender equality and women’s liberation norms. While normative Western Europeanness has recently been constructed through emancipated sexuality and the exclusion of non-Western Others as sexually repressed, the bodies of Russian-speaking women are perceived as sexually excessive and in need of toning down. Focusing on the (self-)policing of Russian-speaking migrant women’s bodies and the ways they navigate acceptable and unacceptable forms of gendered self-presentation, we demonstrate how these women are construed as not emancipated enough and hence not quite white. The article thereby contributes to understanding hierarchies of whiteness within the East/West dynamics of race as they pertain to gender and sexuality.

Claims to a nation, dressing the part and other boundary making strategies by skilled migrants in response to ethnic categorization

ABSTRACT This article is about self-defined social identities, other people’s perceptions of us and the potentially conflictual relationship between these two. Building on a Barthian focus on group boundaries, the article takes the interplay between external categorizations and internal group definitions as its point of departure to examine how individuals negotiate the boundaries of their social identities. Based on a case study of skilled migrants with racialized ethnicities in Finland, I look at how they express their self-defined identity as well-to-do, skilled professionals in the face of contradicting categorizations of them as un-skilled, lower-class migrant subjects. I identify two types of complementary approaches employed by the skilled migrants in boundary making strategies to their identity negotiations: those de-emphasizing ethnicity (or its importance), and those emphasizing class status. These approaches are two sides of the same coin; coming from different perspectives, they both aim at a more positively viewed identity, and for individuals to be seen as well-to-do, educated, working professionals, rather than as ethnic migrant subjects. As such, the article also highlights the interconnection of class and ethnicity for the social identities of skilled migrants in Finland.

Comparability of questionnaire and interview responses on health among people with foreign origin

Abstract Background In health surveys, self-administered questionnaires are a good way to collect data most cost-effectively. For some population groups, a mixture of methods might be necessary in order to reach the desired response rate. If the collection methods vary, the comparability of data might become an issue when evaluating differences between two population groups or changes over time. This study examines the comparability between questionnaire and phone interview responses in a survey on migrants in Finland. Methods This study uses the data collected in Survey on Well-Being Among Foreign Born Population (FinMonik), conducted in 2018-19. There were 6 836 respondents, out of which 6 505 filled the questionnaire and 331 were interviewed by phone. The survey included questions 'Do you ever feel lonely?' and 'Do you find that your current state of health is:'. Both were answered using a five-point Likert scale ranging from 'never'/'good' to 'all the time'/'bad'. Logistic regression was used to assess statistical differences. Results Among those interviewed by phone, the distributions were more skewed than among those who had filled the questionnaire. In the phone interviews, the emphasis was on the socially more desirable options: regarding loneliness, 'never' was selected 1.7 times more often in the phone interview compared to the questionnaire while 'good' was used to describe the state of health 1.3 times more often. On the common binary indicator 'fairly often or all the time', those who had filled the questionnaire appeared lonelier than those interviewed by phone (14.5% vs 10.4%, p = 0.032), and the difference remained significant when adjusted with a range of sociodemographic variables. However, there was no significant difference on the binary indicator of perceived health ('good or fairly good'). Conclusions The distributions differed considerably between questionnaire and interview responses, but the level of impact varied between indicators. Key messages The data collection methods should be examined carefully when comparing results from different surveys. Instruments designed for questionnaires may yield different results when asked by an interviewer.

Purchases of psychotropic drugs among the migrant population in Finland: a nationwide register-based cohort study.

Migrant populations may have different mental health service needs when compared with native populations. One indicator of service use is the use of psychotropic medication. The aim of this study was to compare the purchases of psychotropic drugs among different migrant populations with the native population in Finland. Foreign-born participants (n = 184805) and their Finnish-born controls (n = 185183) were identified from the Finnish Central Population Register. Information on their purchases of psychotropic drugs in 2011-15 was collected from the National Prescription Register. A washout period of 2009-10 was used to define incident purchases. Cox regression analysis was the statistical method used. At least one incident purchase of a psychotropic drug was identified for 11.1% of migrant women, 11.4% of Finnish-born women, 8.7% of migrant men and 9.8% of Finnish-born men. When controlled for age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic status and social assistance, migrants were less likely to purchase psychotropic drugs (adjusted hazard ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.93-0.98), but there was variation between different drug categories. Recent migrants and migrants from Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa were least likely to purchase drugs. Migrants from Nordic countries and other Western countries most closely resembled the Finnish-born controls. Recent migrants in Finland appear to use fewer psychotropic drugs than native Finns. It is important to analyze the reasons for this pattern, as they may indicate delays in access to care or benefits. The heterogeneity of migrant populations must also be considered when developing services to better address their needs.

On the ethical dimension of irregular migrants’ lives: Affect, becoming and information

This article operationalises Simondon’s theory of becoming and Deleuze and Spinoza’s ethics and unfolds their conceptualisations in the lives of a group of irregular migrants in Finland. From an ontological and ontogenetic perspective, individuals and their environment are always in a non-complete, non-linear and ethically affective state of becoming. In this sense, migrant bodies register the positive and negative affections accumulated over time, and, via information, make them a material, yet unfinished, and ready to be challenged again, part of their becoming. Applying these concepts to ethnographic fieldwork, this article highlights three dimensions of the observed irregular migrants’ becoming: their relentless efforts of becoming themselves through hardships; non-linear tensions with disparate realities, such as the bureaucratic procedures, and the negative affections the latter entail; and the struggle towards positive affections in temporary stabilities (e.g. in community life). In focusing on the processual and ontological making of migrants in their environment, the article contributes to broader debates regarding the non-linear and ethical dimensions of their everyday lives, as well as their capacity of transforming themselves, and aims at opening up dialogues on the significance of an ontogenetic approach to the field of irregular migration and beyond.

Multifocal Integration and Marginalisation: A Theoretical Model and an Empirical Study on Three Immigrant Groups

Recent sociological discussions have examined the classic theme of social integration from the point of view of belonging and multiple solidarities. As a research topic, migration importantly elucidates these general sociological questions. Literature on migration, integration and transnationalism lacks an encompassing theoretical model, which limits our understanding of complex integration processes. We propose a multifocal model of migrant integration including three key foci of integration: the host society; transnational sphere; and co-ethnic community in the host society. Moreover, the model considers integration in terms of different dimensions. With this model, we define multifocal marginalisation and study Russian, Kurdish and Somali migrants in Finland. We find that the different foci do not compete with each other, but are in a moderate positive relationship. There are clear group differences in integration patterns. Determinants of multifocal marginalisation include Kurdish background, weak Internet skills and older age. Discussion themes include belonging and social change.

Substance use, affective symptoms, and suicidal ideation among Russian, Somali, and Kurdish migrants in Finland.

Comorbidity of substance use with affective symptoms and suicidality has been well documented in the general population. However, population-based migrant studies about this association are scarce. We examined the association of affective symptoms and suicidal ideation with binge drinking, daily smoking, and lifetime cannabis use among Russian, Somali, and Kurdish migrants in comparison with the Finnish general population. Cross-sectional data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu, n = 1307) and comparison group data of the general Finnish population (n = 860) from the Health 2011 Survey were used. Substance use included self-reported current binge drinking, daily smoking, and lifetime cannabis use. Affective symptoms and suicidal ideation were measured using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25). We performed multivariate logistic regression analyses, including age, gender, and additional socio-demographic and migration-related factors. Suicidal ideation (OR 2.4 95% CI 1.3–4.3) was associated with binge drinking among Kurds and lifetime cannabis use among Russians (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.9–17.0) and Kurds (OR 5.5, 95% CI 1.9–15.6). Affective symptoms were associated with daily smoking (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.02–2.6) and lifetime cannabis use (OR 6.1, 95% CI 2.6–14.5) among Kurdish migrants. Our results draw attention to the co-occurrence of suicidal ideation, affective symptoms, and substance use, especially among Kurdish migrants. These results highlight the variation of comorbidity of substance use and affective symptoms between the different populations. This implies that screening for substance use in mental healthcare cannot be neglected based on presumed habits of substance use.

Corneal recurrent erosions dystrophy in citizens and migrants in Finland

AbstractThe epithelial recurrent erosion dystrophy (ERED) is a rare autosomal dominant corneal disease. Recently, mutations in collagen type XVII, alpha 1 (COL17A1) gene were identified as the cause of ERED. We have identified four Finnish families and one Armenian family with recurrent erosions and a dominant inheritance pattern. Affected patients reported recurrent corneal erosions beginning at the age of 4–12 years. The frequency of erosions decreased in adult age. Corneal scarring and anterior stromal opacities with varying degree were observed. The visual acuity of some patients slowly deteriorated. Next‐generation exome sequencing was performed in seven affected individuals from the five families focusing on the large COL17A1 gene. Sequencing analysis revealed that all seven patients carried a known synonymous splice‐altering variant c.3156C>T. Furthermore, five more family members were studied with Sanger sequencing. All twelve patients carried the same c.3156C>T variant. The variant was not present in gnomAD database including of 12,562 Finns. A genealogical analysis revealed that in one Finnish family the variant originated from Sweden. The variant c.3156C>T in COL17A1 is reported previously in English, American, Thai, New Zealand, and Tasmanian families with ERED. Our finding of the same variant in yet two other populations strengthens the evidence that this variant is the most frequent cause of ERED. The c.3156C>T codon seems to be a hot spot for recurrent mutations.

Intersecting Experiences: Class, Gender, Ethnicity and Race in the Lives of Highly Skilled Migrants in Finland

The aim of this article is to study the experiences of highly skilled migrants from an intersectional perspective. Based on a case study of a group of skilled migrants in Finland, this article explores the interplay of various social identities and categorizations in their everyday life. I argue that although class markers are an important element in the self-defined group identification for skilled migrants, they are also subjected to intersecting social categorizations, stereotyping and assumptions based on gender, ethnicity, race and nationality, creating different experiences and belongings for different skilled migrants. Anthias’ concept of ‘translocational positionality’ is used to highlight how these intersections are highly situational, context specific and relative to other actors in the Finnish context.

Estonian Migrants’ Aspiration for Social Citizenship in Finland: Embracing the Finnish Welfare State and Distancing from the ‘Non-Deserving’

The consequences of immigration for the welfare states has received increased attention by scholars and in political and media debates in Europe. However, migrants’ subjective understandings of the welfare state remains an understudied research topic. This study aims to address the topic by analysing the question in the Nordic context by looking at Estonian labour migrants’ understandings of the Finnish welfare state. Our data consists of 51 biographical interviews with Estonian migrants in Finland. Based on the interviews, we traced interviewees’ attitudes towards the Finnish welfare state. In Finland, Estonians aspire for social citizenship, which in their case refers to gaining economic welfare and embracing Finnish welfare state institutions. This aspiration for social citizenship is revealed in Estonians’ ‘identity talk’, which takes two forms: embracement and distancing. By embracement, we mean their positive sentiments towards the institutions and norms of the Finnish welfare state. The interviewees highlight their participation in the labour market, diligent payment of taxes, justified use of the welfare benefits and services offered by the Finnish state, and membership in trade unions and unemployment funds. The interviewees underline the link between work and the deservingness of welfare benefits. They describe themselves as deserving, which, they claim, should put them on par with native Finns. Moreover, by means of distancing, the interviewed Estonians distinguish themselves from ‘others’—in their opinion—‘non-deserving’ migrants who ‘do not contribute’ to the Finnish welfare state.

The prevalence of substance use among Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrants in Finland: a population-based study

BackgroundSubstance use is a well-known public health problem, but population-based research on migrants’ substance use in Europe is limited. Factors related to the cultural background and current life situation might influence substance use among migrants. Here, the prevalence of substance use in Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrants in Finland is reported in comparison with the general population, and the associations between substance use and socio-economic and migration-related background factors among migrants are analysed.MethodsCross-sectional data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu) and comparison group data of the general Finnish population (n = 1165) from the Health 2011 Survey were used. The survey participants were of Russian (n = 702), Somali (n = 512), and Kurdish (n = 632) origin. Substance use included self-reported alcohol use within previous 12 months (AUDIT-C questionnaire), current and lifetime daily smoking and lifetime use of cannabis and intravenous drugs.ResultsBinge drinking was less prevalent among all migrant groups than in the general Finnish population (Russian men 65%, p < 0.01; Russian women 30%, p < 0.01, Somali men 2%, p < 0.01, Kurdish men 27%, p < 0.01, Kurdish women 6%, p < 0.01, general population men 87% and women 72%). Current daily smoking was more prevalent among Russian (28%, p = 0.04) and Kurdish (29%, p < 0.01) migrant men compared with the reference group (20%). Younger age and employment were associated with binge drinking among migrants. Socio-economic disadvantage increased the odds for daily smoking in Russian, Somali and Kurdish migrant men. Several migration-related factors, such as age at migration and language proficiency, were associated with substance use.ConclusionsBinge drinking is less common among migrants than in the Finnish general population. However, current daily smoking was more prevalent among Russian and Kurdish migrant men compared with the general population. Younger age, level of education, employment, duration of residence in Finland and language proficiency were associated with binge drinking and daily smoking with varying patterns of association depending on the migrant group and gender. These findings draw attention to the variation in substance use habits among migrant populations.

Which anthropometric measures best indicate type 2 diabetes among Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland? A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo compare the performance of body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in detecting type 2 diabetes among Russian, Somali and Kurdish (born...

4.11-P5The effects of potentially traumatic events and experiences of discrimination on the substance use of migrants. A population-based study on Russian and Kurdish migrants in Finland

4.11-P5The effects of potentially traumatic events and experiences of discrimination on the substance use of migrants. A population-based study on Russian and Kurdish migrants in Finland

Missed hepatitis b/c or syphilis diagnosis among Kurdish, Russian, and Somali origin migrants in Finland: linking a population-based survey to the national infectious disease register

BackgroundMigrants are considered a key population at risk for sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases in Europe. Prevalence data to support the design of infectious diseases screening protocols are scarce. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B and C, human immunodefiency virus (HIV) infection and syphilis in specific migrant groups in Finland and to assess risk factors for missed diagnosis.MethodsA random sample of 3000 Kurdish, Russian, or Somali origin migrants in Finland was invited to a migrant population-based health interview and examination survey during 2010–2012. Participants in the health examination were offered screening for hepatitis B and C, HIV and syphilis. Notification prevalence in the National Infectious Diseases Register (NIDR) was compared between participants and non-participants to assess non-participation. Missed diagnosis was defined as test-positive case in the survey without previous notification in NIDR. Inverse probability weighting was used to correct for non-participation.ResultsAltogether 1000 migrants were screened for infectious diseases. No difference in the notification prevalence among participants and non-participants was observed. Seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was 2.3%, hepatitis C antibodies 1.7%, and Treponema pallidum antibodies 1.3%. No cases of HIV were identified. Of all test-positive cases, 61% (34/56) had no previous notification in NIDR. 48% of HBsAg, 62.5% of anti-HCV and 84.6% of anti-Trpa positive cases had been missed. Among the Somali population (n = 261), prevalence of missed hepatitis B diagnosis was 3.0%. Of the 324 Russian migrants, 3.0% had not been previously diagnosed with hepatitis C and 2.4% had a missed syphilis diagnosis. In multivariable regression model missed diagnosis was associated with migrant origin, living alone, poor self-perceived health, daily smoking, and previous diagnosis of another blood-borne infection.ConclusionsMore than half of chronic hepatitis and syphilis diagnoses had been missed among migrants in Finland. Undiagnosed hepatitis B among Somali migrants implies post-migration transmission that could be prevented by enhanced screening and vaccinations. Rate of missed diagnoses among Russian migrants supports implementation of targeted hepatitis and syphilis screening upon arrival and also in later health care contacts. Coverage and up-take of current screening among migrants should be evaluated.

Which anthropometric measures best indicate the risk for type 2 diabetes among migrants in Finland?

Which anthropometric measures best indicate the risk for type 2 diabetes among migrants in Finland?

Explanations for health differences in Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland

Explanations for health differences in Russian, Somali and Kurdish origin migrants in Finland

Claims to whiteness: Young unemployed Russian-speakers’ declassificatory struggles in Finland

This article analyses the position of young unemployed Russian-speaking migrants in Finland as being both racialised and racialising Others. Young Russian-speakers’ claims to whiteness are analysed against the backdrop of their racialised position as well as the neoliberal reshaping of class relations in Finland. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork on young Russian-speakers’ employment in Helsinki, the article shows that young Russian-speakers’ racialisation of Others is a modality through which their own racialised class position is lived and narrated. Through such boundary-making processes young Russian-speakers resist being classified as ‘welfare abusers’, the unemployed and low-skilled workers. The article argues that young Russian-speakers’ efforts to be recognised as white should be understood as a struggle against classification, through which they generate alternative value as deserving citizens and respectable workers.

The Prevalence of Potentially Traumatic Pre-Migration Experiences: A Population- Based Study of Russian, Somali and Kurdish Origin Migrants in Finland

Background: On-going mass conflicts and the resulting flow of displaced persons have increased interest in potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) of migrants. However, studies on the topic using population-based samples are still scarce. Aims: The present study aims 1) to assess the prevalence of specific PTEs in Finland's migrant population and 2) to determine whether socio-demographic and migration-related factors are associated with PTEs. Methods: Data from the Finnish Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (Maamu), a cross-sectional interview and health examination survey, was used. The sample comprised Russian; Somali and Kurdish migrants aged 18-64. PTEs, with eight specified traumatic event items common among those exposed to war and conflict, were measured using interview questions. Results: The prevalence of having at least one PTE was 21% among Russian, 58% among Somalian and 77% among Kurdish origin migrants, higher in Kurdish men than women and lower in Somali men than women. The most typical forms of PTEs among Kurds and Somalis were war and witnessing a violent death or injury. The most severe events (e.g. torture) were more common and the highest cumulative number of PTEs was among Kurds. Migrating as a refugee or asylum seeker was not associated with higher prevalence of PTEs. Conclusions: Results indicated an alarmingly high overall PTE prevalence among Kurdish and Somali migrants in Finland, especially among Kurds. Results suggest that effort to identify PTEs and interventions should be targeted not only at those migrating with a refugee of asylum seeker status but all migrants from conflict areas.

TOWARDS INCOMPLETE MIGRATION: ESTONIAN MIGRATION TO FINLAND

Abstract. For a comprehensive understanding of the changing and complex migration patterns in Europe, both quantitative and qualitative analyses are needed. In this paper we complement the studies on migration patterns of East-West migration by qualitatively analysing Estonian migration to Finland. The aim of the paper is to analyse the migration histories of Estonian migrants in Finland with a focus on the meaning and consequences of these patterns on an individual level but also on the effect of geographical proximity on migration patterns. The results bring forth the individual level gains and losses of migration and show that geographical proximity between the home and host country is conducive to more incomplete migration patterns. Our results also suggest that incomplete migration may have a positive effect for the home country as migrants continue to be consumers in their home country and relieve the pressure on its social system. Keywords: migration patterns, East-West migration, incomplete migration, transnational commuters, Estonia, Finland 1. Introduction The central and eastern European (henceforward the CEE) countries have become a hotbed of the new European migration, changing its nature in several aspects. First, there is an increase of temporary migrants (Fihel et al. 2006), the so-called European citizens who do not know in which country they are going to live in, for example, two or three years. This has been facilitated by the opening of the free labour market for the citizens of the new member states of the EU since 2004. Second, the new technologies as well as accessible and cheap international transportation allow migrants to retain strong ties with the country of origin while building their lives in the host country (Horst 2006, Jordan and Duvell 2003). Third, the concurrence of the former and the latter, e.g. the decreasing restrictions on the free movement of people and progress in technology and transportation have helped increase transnational commuting in Europe. It is becoming less unusual that if people spend their workweek in one country and for the weekend they go back to their families in another. The free movement of people, a distinctive feature of the EU, has significantly changed and diversified the migration patterns of the East-West migrants (Krings et al. 2013). There are several studies on migration patterns of the East-West migrants primarily considering migrants' ties with the country of origin and with the host country, and their intentions to return (Duvell and Vogel 2006, Engbersen et al. 2013). However, less attention has been given to understanding what conditions make migrants follow one or another migration pattern and what the personal costs of migration are. Migration patterns and conditions affecting them differ between migrants originating from the different CEE countries. For example, the study of Engbersen et al. (2013) confirms differences in the most preferred migration patterns between Polish, Romanian and Bulgarian migrants in the Netherlands where Poles are more likely to follow temporary migration patterns and Bulgarians and Romanians more permanent migration patterns. Engbersen et al. (2013) suggest that geographical distance between the origin and destination countries might be behind these differences with migrants from countries closer to wealthier destination countries preferring more temporary migration patterns. Due to Estonia's geographical proximity to Finland and Sweden, Estonian migrants may prefer to follow migration patterns specific to the CEE countries that border wealthier countries. The most popular host country for Estonian migrants is Finland which has been a destination for more than a half of all Estonian migrants (Statistics Estonia 2015). The short distance between the two countries--only 80 km or two hours by ferry--allows commuting and regular, tight contacts with the country of origin. …