Health disparities among immigrant populations of both sexes are persistent in developed countries. Most studies have investigated the impacts of systematic policies that limit immigrants’ access to adequate healthcare and established that country of origin and racial background are significant determinants of the accessibility of immigrants to quality healthcare (Giannoni et al., 2016; Maskileyson, 2019). However, limited studies have investigated the impacts of the assimilation of immigrants on the propensity for utilization of the healthcare system. Assimilation refers to increased utilization of healthcare systems based on the number of years immigrants live within a particular region.
The current study will evaluate how assimilation influences the health-seeking behaviours of immigrants by conducting a phenomenological study on the impacts of the lack of adequate structures for integrating immigrants within the healthcare system on their propensity for its utilization. The case study approach is essential for obtaining an in-depth overview of the topic by evaluating the lived experiences of research participants through low assimilation levels. This knowledge will emphasize the need to develop a practical framework for supporting immigrant assimilation within society to positively influence their propensity to utilize available services and reduce existing health disparities. Improving the assimilation of immigrants is a sustainable strategy for optimizing their health outcomes by improving their knowledge and attitude towards the utilization of the healthcare system.
Research Questions
- How do assimilation levels influence health-seeking behaviours among immigrants?
- What are the impacts of health-seeking behaviours among immigrants on their health outcomes?
- What existing frameworks help promote immigrant assimilation within the current communities?
Literature Review
Impacts of Immigrant assimilation on their Health-seeking behaviours
Impacts of Health-seeking behaviours among Immigrants on their health outcomes
Influencing factors for immigrant assimilation
The time of arrival and region of origin among immigrants are significant determinants of the utilization of healthcare services. In a quantitive analysis of the length taken by immigrants to exhibit convergence in the pattern of usage of healthcare with the native populations in Spain, Ferre et al. (2023) established that it takes 15 years for foreign-born and native-born populations to exhibit convergence of utilization patterns of the healthcare system within the country. Furthermore, ageing had differential effects on healthcare use since all aged personnel exhibited similar healthcare usage. The study is essential within the current research since it demonstrates the significance of adequate assimilation of immigrants within the local culture. It is essential for optimizing the health utilization propensity for healthcare services among the population. Moreover, the study is essential since it explains the convergence in health utilization among the elderly regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
The threat of deportation adversely affects the assimilation of immigrants within the contemporary organizational environments. According to a study, health service utilization among immigrants was influenced by both health policies and non-healthcare policy factors. Specifically, the authors established that the threat of deportation adversely influenced the propensity of immigrants to seek health services. Furthermore, the fear of deportation also adversely impacted the capacity for assimilation of immigrants due to the perceived propensity for individuals to seek healthcare services. Cultural factors were also identified as significant factors that influenced individuals’ propensity to seek healthcare services since cultural comfort during HSU influenced the likelihood of individuals seeking medical attention. This study is essential for the current research by portraying other factors that may ultimately hinder the assimilation potential of immigrants and their health-seeking health-seeking behaviours.
There are several strategies utilized for immigrant acculturation which influence their mental well-being. According to a study systematic review conducted by Choy et al. (2021), assimilation was positively associated with an increase in depressive symptoms among immigrants and also alleviation in anxiety-related feelings in less marginalized society environments. The study provides empirical evidence for the adverse impacts of lack of assimilation on the mental health of immigrants. In addition, it also supports the adverse impacts of marginalization on the health outcomes exhibited among immigrants. This evidence could support the need for integrative policies within contemporary societies by providing key factors mediating the acculturation processes, including proficiency in the host country’s language and low education levels.
The study by Yang et al. (2016) provides a theoretical framework for factors that influence health service utilization, especially among immigrant populations. Based on the study, primary components that influence healthcare utilization among immigrants include immigration status since it correlates with the availability of benefits, rights, resources, and psychological status. Specifically, undocumented immigrants are highly influenced by these external factors since they cannot be covered under available insurance schemes and Acts such as the Affordable Care Act and Medicare. Furthermore, other factors such as language, cultural barriers, and fear of deportation positively correlated with low health service utilization. The study provides a theoretical foundation for fear of deportation and cultural barriers as the factors that influence health-seeking behaviours among immigrants.
How well immigrants adapt to the host culture and social systems, such as familiarization with the host culture, is a significant determinant of their healthcare utilization. A study by Bustamante et al. (2018) established that immigrants are typically introduced to a new healthcare system and cultural environments, which can be challenging for them to adapt to. However, increased resilience towards the culture and social systems increases their likelihood of seeking professional medical care that levels that of native-born individuals. Furthermore, a lack of effective assimilation might force individuals to utilize secondary healthcare systems of lower quality compared to native-born populations. The current study is essential in establishing the significance of familiarising oneself with underlying social-cultural systems to improve immigrants’ propensity to use local health services. In addition, the study also provides evidence for the efficacy of creating an effective system for acculturating immigrants to the local systems.
References
Bustamante, A. V., Fang, H., Garza, J., Carter-Pokras, O., Wallace, S. P., Rizzo, J. A., & Ortega, A. N. (2018). Variations in healthcare access and utilization among Mexican immigrants: The role of documentation status. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 14(1), 146–155. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-010-9406-9
Choy, B., Arunachalam, K., S, G., Taylor, M., & Lee, A. (2021). Systematic review: Acculturation strategies and their impact on the mental health of migrant populations. Public Health in Practice, 2, 100069. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2020.100069
Ferre, Z., Triunfo, P., & Antón, J. (2023). Immigrant assimilation in health care utilization in Spain. The European Journal of Health Economics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-023-01622-6
Giannoni, M., Franzini, L., & Masiero, G. (2019). Migrant integration policies and health inequalities in Europe. BMC Public Health, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3095-9
Maskileyson, D. (2019). Health trajectories of immigrants in the United States: Does income inequality of country of origin matter? Social Science & Medicine, 230, 246-255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.04.032
Peng, B., & Ling, L. (2023). Health service behaviours of migrants: A conceptual framework. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1043135
Yang, P. Q., & Hwang, S. H. (2016). Explaining immigrant health service utilization. SAGE Open, 6(2), 215824401664813. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244016648137
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