Second-generation Immigrants In Sweden Research Articles

Between the dog and the wolf: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of bicultural, sexual minority people’s lived experiences

Previous research has established that people with multiple-minority identities frequently wrestle with psychosocial dilemmas in ingroup and outgroup settings, which can impair health and impede a positive belonging. The present study explores the phenomenon of psychosocial implications found in the intersection of sexuality and ethnicity from the perspective of bicultural, sexual minority individuals in Sweden, a multiple-minority group that thus far has not received scientific consideration. In-depth interviews were conducted with eight non-heterosexual, second-generation immigrants in Sweden. Data was analyzed through a collaborative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Two overarching group experiential themes (GETs) were created: “A puzzle of identity struggles” and “Sources of empowerment.” The GETs detail experiences of bullying, misidentification, parental shortcomings, gender issues, and severe mental health challenges, as well as strengthening factors in the participants’ lived experiences, including pride in heritage, creative coping strategies and purpose in life. The lines between general stressors and minority-specific stressors were blurred, which problematizes simplified understandings of multiple-minorities. The authors advocate for advances in multiple-minority knowledge among professionals within the educational and mental health systems, to facilitate preventive and interventive work that could improve life conditions and sense of belonging among non-heterosexual, ethnic minorities.

Unemployment persistence among second-generation immigrants

Abstract Many immigrant groups disproportionately experience unemployment and this disadvantage often extends to their children—the second generation. This paper contributes to this stream of research by studying unemployment dynamics of the ancestral population and second-generation immigrants in Sweden. In particular, we ask: does unemployment persistence differ between ancestral Swedes and 10 second-generation immigrant groups? We answer this question using correlated dynamic random-effects logit models to study the effect of past on current unemployment—also known as genuine state dependence. We use Swedish register data to follow individuals over their early working careers. The results indicate that although past unemployment has a similar relative effect on current unemployment across the ancestry groups, past unemployment increases the probability of current unemployment (absolute effect) more among second-generation Middle-Eastern, Turkish, and Southern European immigrants. Because of higher baseline levels of unemployment, the labour market consequences of similar relative effects are more pronounced among the second generation as compared to ancestral Swedes. The paper concludes by elaborating on the reasons behind these contrasting results while highlighting the importance of examining heterogeneous effects on both the relative and absolute scales.

Cardiomyopathy among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: a nationwide total population study

PurposeWe aimed to analyze the risk of cardiomyopathies (CMPs) among first-generation and second-generation immigrants.MethodsAll individuals aged 18 years of age and older, n = 6,123,661 in the first-generation study, and n = 4,587,764 in the second-generation study were analyzed. CMP was defined as at least one registered diagnosis in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2018. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 99% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident CMP with adjustments made for age, cancer, other comorbidities, and sociodemographic factors.ResultsIn the first-generation study, a total of 33,321 CMP cases were registered, 20,780 men and 12,541 women, where the fully adjusted models showed HRs (99% CI) for all foreign-born men of 0.92 (0.86–0.98) and for women of 0.90 (0.83–0.98). For dilated CMP, the risk was higher for men from Nordic countries, more specifically men from Finland, and lower for men and women from Asia. For hypertrophic CMP, the risk was higher for men from Africa and Asia. For other types of CMPs, the risk was lower in men and women from Asia. In the second-generation study, a total of 26,559 cases were registered (17,620 men and 8939 women), with no significant differences overall or among specific groups, when Swedish-born with foreign-born parents were compared to Swedish-born with Swedish-born parents.ConclusionsWe observed a generally lower risk of CMPs among foreign-born individuals, but with a higher risk especially for hypertrophic CMPs for men from Africa and Asia, and a higher risk of dilated CMP for men from Nordic countries.

The income-mortality paradox among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

Abstract Background This study investigates mortality differences by income among first- and second-generation immigrants and the native ancestral population in Sweden. Despite immigrants’ various vulnerabilities and the exhaustive evidence for a persistent inverse relationship between income and mortality in general Western populations, previous studies from outside Sweden demonstrated surprisingly weak income gradients in mortality among first-generation immigrants. Examining these associations among second-generation immigrants may help to understand this paradox. Methods Swedish register data from 2002 to 2016 were used to study the association between individual income rank positions and all-cause mortality. The study population was restricted to ages 25-64 years. Based on ‘relative indices of inequality’ (RII) derived from Poisson regressions, we measured mortality differentials between the least and most deprived income rank positions stratified by nativity group and sex. Correspondingly, we assessed absolute differences in mortality between the most and least deprived by using ‘slope indices of inequality’ (SII). Results Largest inequalities in mortality by relative income rank positions (based on RII) were found for the Swedish native ancestral population that showed on average a nearly doubled mortality risk for least compared to most deprived rank position. Immigrants disclosed weak or even nullified associations between relative income rank and all-cause mortality. Mortality inequalities by income among second-generation immigrants were substantially higher relative to first-generation immigrants but somewhat lower compared to the native ancestral population. These patterns were consistent between males and females, and confirmed by the use of SII. Conclusions Distinct exposures to inequality structures but also first-generation immigrants’ ‘mortality advantage’ likely contribute to the considerable mortality differences by income between the studied nativity groups. Key messages • Despite their social and economic vulnerabilities, first-generation immigrants in Sweden disclose weak associations between relative income rank and all-cause mortality. • Second-generation immigrants in Sweden show notably higher magnitudes in income-related mortality compared with first-generation immigrants.

Osteoporotic fractures in second-generation immigrants and Swedish natives

SummaryIn this national study of osteoporotic fractures in second-generation immigrants in Sweden, we found a similar risk of osteoporotic fractures in general compared to Swedish natives, which suggests that environmental factors are important for the high risk of osteoporotic fractures in Nordic countries.IntroductionSecond generation immigrants may have a similar environment as individuals with two native-born parents. These individuals may be of interest to study concerning whether environmental or hereditary factors could be mostly associated to the risk of osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk of osteoporotic fractures in second-generation immigrants compared to Swedish natives.MethodsThis was a nationwide study of individuals aged 50 years of age and older (N = 1,377,035; 691,750 men and 685,285 women). Osteoporotic fractures were defined as at least one registered diagnosis of fractures in the hip, humerus, forearm or vertebrae, in the National Patient Register between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2012. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk (hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI)) of incident osteoporotic fractures in second generation immigrants compared to Swedish natives. The Cox regression models were adjusted for age, comorbidities and for sociodemographic status.ResultsA total of 114,505 osteoporotic fractures were registered, 109,622 (8.4%) were among individuals with Swedish-born parents and 4883 (7.5%) among those with foreign-born parents, with distal forearm fractures dominating in general (44.9%). Fully adjusted HRs (95% CI) were for all immigrants 0.95 (95% CI, 0.91–0.99), for men 0.96 (95% CI, 0.89–1.04) and for women 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90–1.00).ConclusionsWe observed a similar risk of osteoporotic fractures among second-generation immigrants as in Swedish natives, which suggests that environmental factors are important for osteoporotic fractures.

Epilepsy in second-generation immigrants: a cohort study of all children up to 18 years of age in Sweden.

Our purpose was to study the association between country of birth and incident epilepsy in second-generation immigrants in Sweden. The study population included all children (n=4023149) aged up to 18years in Sweden. Epilepsy was defined as at least one registered diagnosis of epilepsy in the National Patient Register. The incidence of epilepsy, using individuals with Swedish-born parents as referents, was assessed by Cox regression, expressed in hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). All models were stratified by sex and adjusted for age, geographical residence in Sweden, educational level, marital status, neighbourhood socioeconomic status and comorbid conditions, also using data from the Total Population Register. A total of 26310 individuals had a registered epilepsy event, i.e. 6.5/1000 (6.6/1000 amongst boys and 6.3/1000 amongst girls). After adjustment, the risk of epilepsy was lower than in children of Swedish-born parents. Amongst girls the significant HR was 0.85 (95% CI 0.81-0.88), but in boys only when adjusting also for comorbidity (HR0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99). Amongst specific immigrant groups, a higher incidence of epilepsy was observed amongst boys with parents from Turkey and Africa, but not when adjusting for comorbidity, and a lower risk was observed in many other groups (boys with parents from Latvia, girls with parents from Finland, Iceland, Southern Europe, countries from the former Yugoslavia, and Asia). The risk of epilepsy was lower in second-generation immigrant children compared to children with Swedish-born parents, but with substantial differences between different immigrant groups.

Personal networks and crime victimization among Swedish youth

ABSTRACTWe combine routine activity theory, lifestyle-victimization theory, and a social network perspective to examine crime victimization. In particular, we study to what extent crime victimization is associated with having close contacts who have been victimized and/or who engage in risky lifestyles. We use the data (collected in 2014) of 1,051 native Swedes and 1,108 Iranian and Yugoslavian first- or second-generation immigrants in Sweden who were all born in 1990. They were asked to describe their personal characteristics, various behaviours, and past personal experiences with crime victimization, as well as those of the five persons with whom they most often spend their leisure time. Our findings support the network perspective: crime victimization is negatively associated with the number of close contacts an individual mentions but is substantially more likely for those who have many close contacts who have themselves been victimized. In terms of a risky lifestyle that may enhance the likelihood of being victimized, we found only that individuals who get drunk frequently were at somewhat higher risk of being victimized. To guard young individuals against crime victimization, it might thus be worthwhile to focus more on with whom they associate than on their potentially risky lifestyles or attitudes.

Prognostic factors and disease-specific survival among immigrants diagnosed with cutaneous malignant melanoma in Sweden.

Little is known about cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) among immigrants in Europe. We aimed to investigate clinical characteristics and disease-specific survival among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden. This nationwide population-based study included 27,235 patients from the Swedish Melanoma Register diagnosed with primary invasive CMM, 1990-2007. Data were linked to nationwide, population-based registers followed up through 2013. Logistic regression and Cox regression models were used to determine the association between immigrant status, stage and CMM prognosis, respectively. After adjustments for confounders, first generation immigrants from Southern Europe were associated with significantly more advanced stages of disease compared to Swedish-born patients [Stage II vs. I: Odds ratio (OR) = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.61-3.50. Stage III-IV vs I: OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.08-5.37]. The ORs of stage II-IV versus stage I disease were increased among men (OR = 1.9; 95% CI = 1.1-3.3; p = 0.020), and women (OR = 4.8; 95% CI = 2.6-9.1; p < 0.001) in a subgroup of immigrants from former Yugoslavia compared to Swedish-born patients. The CMM-specific survival was significantly decreased among women from former Yugoslavia versus Swedish-born women [hazard ratio (HR)=2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.2; p = 0.043]. After additional adjustments including stage, the survival difference was no longer significant. No survival difference between the second generation immigrant group and Swedish-born patients were observed. In conclusion, a worse CMM-specific survival in women from former Yugoslavia was associated with more advanced stages of CMM at diagnosis. Secondary prevention efforts focusing on specific groups may be needed to further improve the CMM prognosis.

Ethnic enclaves and risk of psychiatric disorders among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

Some non-Western immigrant groups in Europe have elevated risk of psychosis relative to native-born. It is hypothesized that neighborhood ethnic density moderates this risk. Immigration to Sweden has increased substantially recently, particularly from the Middle East. This study examined the relationship between neighborhood ethnic density (i.e., living in an immigrant enclave) and risk of psychotic and affective disorders among three groups: Iraqi immigrants, immigrants from other nations, and native-born Swedes. Individuals aged 15-60, without prevalent psychopathology, were drawn from Swedish population-based registries and followed from 2005 to 2010 (N = 950,979). Multi-level logistic regression was used to examine the association between neighborhood ethnic composition and incident psychopathology. Cumulative incidence of psychopathology was greater in Iraqi enclaves relative to predominantly Swedish neighborhoods (6.3 vs. 4.5%). Iraqis living in enclaves did not have significantly greater risk of psychosis (Odds Ratio (OR): 1.66, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.92-2.97) or affective disorders (OR: 1.04, 95%CI 0.85-1.27) relative to those in predominantly Swedish neighborhoods. There was no increased risk of psychosis (OR: 0.93, p > 0.05) or affective disorders (OR: 0.93, p > 0.05) for other immigrants living in an enclave. Swedes living in an enclave had elevated risk of both psychosis (OR: 1.37, p < 0.05) and affective disorders (OR: 1.14, p < 0.05) relative to those in predominantly Swedish neighborhoods. Second-generation Iraqis had higher risk of psychotic but not affective disorders relative to first-generation. Neighborhood ethnic density does not moderate risk of psychopathology for immigrants in Sweden. Findings regarding Swedes are consistent with social drift.

Cancer incidence, trends, and survival among immigrants to Sweden: a population-based study.

This review aimed at covering cancer risk trends by site and histology in first-generation and second-generation immigrants in Sweden compared with natives. In addition, we reviewed data on cancer survival in immigrants to explore factors explaining cancer survival in the entire population. The Swedish Family-Cancer Database was used to calculate standardized incidence ratios and hazard ratios (HRs) of death from cancer in 77,360 and 993,824 cases among first-generation, and 4356 and 263,485 cases among second-generation immigrants and Swedes, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to calculate odds ratio. To obtain the maximum number of cases, we classified the immigrants according to geographical setting, population, and/or cancer risk. Compared with native Swedes, the highest risk of cancer was observed for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Southeast Asian men (standardized incidence ratio=35.6) and women (24.6), for hypopharyngeal carcinoma in Indian men (5.4), for squamous-cell carcinoma of the esophagus in Iranian women (3.8), for cardia of the stomach in East Asian women (4.2), for signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach in Southeast Asian women (6.7), for the liver in East Asian men (6.8), for the gall bladder in Indian women (3.8), for the pancreas in North African men (2.2), for large cell carcinoma of the lung in former Yugoslavian men (4.2), for pleural mesothelioma in Turkish women (23.8), for the cervix in Danes (1.6), for seminoma in Chileans (2.1), for transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder in Asian Arab men (2.3), for meningioma in former Yugoslavians (1.3), and for papillary carcinoma of the thyroid in East and Southeast Asian men (3.6). No immigrant groups had an increased risk of breast, uterus, ovary, and prostate cancers or nervous system tumors. The HRs for all breast cancers were between 1.0 in low-risk Europeans and 1.2 in lowest-risk non-Europeans. Low-risk non-Europeans had an HR of 2.9 for lobular carcinoma. Low-risk non-Europeans were diagnosed in a higher T-class (odds ratio=1.9) than Swedes. The HRs for prostate cancer were 0.6 in Turks, Middle Easterners, Asians, and Chileans. In conclusion, environmental and behavioral factors, early-childhood exposures, and infections may play a major role in the risk of esophageal, stomach, liver, nasopharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers, malignant pleural mesothelioma, breast, gynecological, testicular, urinary bladder, and thyroid cancers. Pancreatic cancer and nervous system tumors may have a major genetic component in the etiology. The ethnic differences in the risk of breast cancer by histology had no major influence on survival. Middle Easterners, Asians, and Chileans, with the lowest risk of prostate cancer, also had the most favorable survival, suggesting a biological mechanism for this finding.

The Socio-Economic Background of Immigrants Affect the Chances to get Higher Education in Sweden

The main reason behind gathering a great number of immigrants in Sweden is its neutral advocacy in world politics. Many of the immigrants have come to Sweden after completing their higher education in their own countries and want to work and live in Sweden. They prefer the socio-economic condition of Sweden better than any other countries even from their own countries sometimes. My area of this research is “Socio-economic background and immigration”. I reviewed books, articles, other secondary data and will try to show the position of immigrants through socio-economic background as both are co-related. Immigration comes before socio-economic back ground or vice-versa. I will also try to focus on the position of education or what kind of educational facilities the immigrants are enjoying. ‘Socio-economic background’ and ‘Effect of socio-economic background on higher education in Sweden’ are the two points of my discussion. Here I will focus on the two points as well as ‘Socio-economic background’ &amp; Immigrant discussion make place this article respectively and the question is Does the socio-economic background of immigrants affect the chances to get higher education in Sweden? If so, then how it affects the chances? How does socio-economic and socio-cultural factors affect the educational attainment of higher education in second-generation immigrants in Sweden?

Suicide among first-generation and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: association with labour market marginalisation and morbidity

BackgroundPrevious research suggests that first-generation immigrants have a lower suicide risk than those both born in Sweden and with both parents born in Sweden (natives), while the suicide risk in...

Suicide among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: association with labour market marginalisation and morbidity

Objective The aim was to investigate to which extent suicide risk in first and second generation immigrants compared to individuals born in Sweden is associated to socio-demographic factors, labour market marginalization and morbidity. Analyses were stratified for sex and area of country of birth. Method A prospective population-based cohort study of 4,034,728 …

Human capital transmission and the earnings of second-generation immigrants in Sweden

Abstract We compare the earnings and the intergenerational earnings mobility of immigrants with natives in Sweden. We find an overall convergence in average earnings between immigrants and natives across generations. This convergence hides a divergence in average earnings between groups of immigrants with different ethnic origins. We also find that, on average, immigrants have lower intergenerational earnings mobility within groups with similar ethnic backgrounds. Immigrant groups with relatively low intergenerational earnings mobility increased their average relative earnings in the second generation. The interpretation of this is that immigrant groups with a high degree of intergenerational transmission of human capital from parent to offspring improve their position on the labor market across generations.

Risk of hospitalization for type 2 diabetes in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden: a nationwide follow-up study

ObjectivesThis is the first nationwide study with the aim to analyze whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and hospitalization for type 2 diabetes (T2D), and to study whether any such association remains in second-generation immigrants. DesignIn this follow-up study, the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register was used to identify all hospital diagnoses of T2D in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2007. Hospitalization rate ratios standardized with regard to gender, age, geographical region, socioeconomic status, obesity, and family history of hospitalization for T2D were estimated in first- and second-generation immigrants. ResultsBoth increased and decreased risks of hospitalization for T2D were shown for several first-generation immigrant groups. However, only second-generation immigrants with Finnish or former Yugoslavian parents had higher rates of hospitalization for T2D than the reference group. No other differences remained in the second-generation immigrants. ConclusionsThe present study suggests that ethnic environmental factors may be more important than ethnic genetic factors in explaining the observed variation in hospitalization for T2D among first-generation immigrants.

Morbidity and mortality in gynecological cancers among first‐ and second‐generation immigrants in Sweden

We studied the effect of new environment on the risk in and mortality of gynecological cancers in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden. We used the nationwide Swedish Family-Cancer Database to calculate standardized incidence/mortality ratios (SIRs/SMRs) of cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancers among immigrants in comparison to the native Swedes. Risk of cervical cancer increased among first-generation immigrants with Danish (SIR = 1.64), Norwegian (1.33), former Yugoslavian (1.21) and East European (1.35) origins, whereas this risk decreased among Finns (0.88) and Asians (SIRs varies from 0.11 in Iranians to 0.54 in East Asians). Risk of endometrial (SIRs varies from 0.28 in Africans to 0.86 in Finns) and ovarian (SIRs varies from 0.23 in Chileans to 0.82 in Finns) cancers decreased in first-generation immigrants. The overall gynecological cancer risk for the second-generation immigrants, independent of the birth region, was almost similar to that obtained for the first generations. The birth region-specific SMRs of gynecological cancers in first- and second-generation immigrants co-varied with the SIRs. Risk of gynecological cancers among the first-generation immigrants is similar to that in their original countries, except for cervical cancer among Africans and endometrial cancer among North Americans and East Europeans. Our findings show that risk and mortality of gynecological cancers observed in the first-generation immigrants remain in the second generation. We conclude that the risk and protective factors of gynecological cancers are preserved upon immigration and through generations, suggesting a role for behavioral factors or familial aggregation in the etiology of these diseases.

Does the risk of stomach cancer remain among second-generation immigrants in Sweden?

The observed increased risks of noncardia stomach cancer among foreign-born second-generation immigrants compared to the Swedes suggest that these immigrants were infected by Helicobacter pylori before immigration.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

Background There are ethnic differences in the incidence of venous thromboembolism. This is the first nationwide study to examine whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and first hospitalisation for venous thrombosis (VT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), and to study whether a similar association exists in second-generation immigrants. Methods The study is a nationwide follow-up study. The study subjects were first- and second-generation immigrants residing in Sweden between January 1, 1964 and December 31, 2007. The reference population comprised first- and second-generation Swedish-born individuals. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) for VT and PE, standardised with regard to age, geographic region of residence, time period, and socioeconomic status, were estimated by sex in first- and second-generation immigrants. Results First-generation male and/or female immigrants from Greece, Italy, Spain, Finland, Baltic countries, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia, Latin America, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq had a lower risk of VT and/or PE than Swedish-born individuals. The lower risk of VT and/or PE in some first-generation immigrant groups was not replicated in the second generation. However, in certain second-generation immigrant groups, the risk of VT/PE was similar to that in the corresponding parental groups. Conclusions Country of birth affects the risk of VT and PE in several immigrant groups. Our study indicates that ethnicity-related inherited and acquired venous thromboembolism risk factors play a role in the aetiology of venous thromboembolism. Ethnic differences in thromboembolism risk even exist in Caucasian European populations, and may thus be important to consider in genetic studies.

Risk of inflammatory bowel disease in first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

The objective was to analyze whether there is an association between country of birth in first-generation immigrants and first hospitalization for an inflammatory bowel disease, and to study whether any such association remains in second-generation immigrants. In this follow-up study a nationwide research database at Lund University was used to identify all primary hospital diagnoses of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in all first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden between January 1, 1964, and December 31, 2007. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) with regard to age, gender, time period, geographical region, and socioeconomic status were estimated in first- and second-generation immigrants. No increased but some decreased risks for CD and UC were found among first-generation immigrants. These decreased risks partly remained in the second generation. Moreover, second-generation immigrants of Danish, Eastern European, and Iraqi origin had higher risks of CD than the reference group. Second-generation immigrants of Finnish and Iranian origin had higher risks of UC. Decreased risks of CD and UC found in some first-generation immigrant groups partly persisted in the second generation. For some immigrant groups, increased risks of CD or UC emerged in the second generation.

Adolescent alcohol and illicit drug use among first- and second-generation immigrants in Sweden

This article compares adolescent alcohol and illicit drug use among first- and second-generation immigrants from Nordic, non-Nordic European and non-European countries with that of the native Swedish majority population. Using data from a 2005 survey, multilevel logistic regression analysis was performed on a sample of 13,070 adolescents. The survey was conducted in three Swedish regions containing 24 municipalities. Second-generation immigrants from Nordic countries were more likely to use alcohol and to binge drink, while first generation immigrants from non-European countries were less likely to; this difference is mainly explained by the relatively low use by girls from non-European countries. All immigrant groups were more likely to use illicit drugs than were the majority population. The highest drug use was found among first-generation Nordic immigrants and non-European immigrants. Consumption patterns among second-generation immigrants were more similar to those of the Swedish majority population, implying more alcohol use and less illicit drug use. Preventive policy for alcohol use should target Nordic immigrants in Sweden (second generation), while preventive policy for drug use, which is a more general immigrant phenomena, should mostly target both Nordic and non-European immigrants.