Refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas typically experience interacting issues related to... more Refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas typically experience interacting issues related to employment, financial precarity, and poor health and well-being. This research aimed to explore whether these issues were exacerbated by the social impacts of COVID-19. Interviews were conducted both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic with 15 refugees and asylum seekers living in South Australia on temporary visas. While this research found that COVID-19 did lead to a range of negative health and other outcomes such as employment challenges, a key finding was the reiteration of temporary visas as a primary pathway through which refugees and asylum seekers experience heightened precarity and the associated pervasive negative health and well-being outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of immigration and welfare policy.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Refugee resettlement significantly contributes to Australia’s migration programs, with recent pol... more Refugee resettlement significantly contributes to Australia’s migration programs, with recent policy directives prioritising rural resettlement. As a result, the cultural diversity of populations of several Australian rural towns has substantially expanded. Newcomers may encounter challenges becoming part of closed social networks and accessing the resources they need for a healthy life in resettlement. However, there are also benefits that stem from positive integration for newcomers and for receiving populations. As part of a larger study, which aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to successful resettlement in a rural setting, the objective of this paper was to show how social ties were important for participants’ health, both facilitating access to resources, including health services, and connecting people to health-promoting living conditions. In-depth individual interviews with 44 participants from refugee communities originally from Africa and South-East Asia, settled ...
Journal of International Migration and Integration
Housing is an important part of building a new life for people from refugee and asylum seeker bac... more Housing is an important part of building a new life for people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. However, relatively little is known about how housing and neighbourhood experiences affect resettlement and integration. This paper explored experiences of housing and neighbourhood for refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia, Australia. A survey was completed by 423 participants, recruited through service providers, community networks and snowball sampling. Data was analysed using frequencies, chi-square analyses and multivariate logistic regression. The study identified aspects of housing and neighbourhood that were important to participants, as well as highlighting key problems. Housing satisfaction and neighbourhood satisfaction were positively associated, but housing satisfaction was lower than neighbourhood satisfaction. Both were significantly associated with overall satisfaction with life in Australia, although only neighbourhood satisfaction remained significant...
Background: Experiences with healthcare services, including perinatal healthcare services, contri... more Background: Experiences with healthcare services, including perinatal healthcare services, contribute to psychological wellbeing for refugees post-resettlement. To address the paucity of literature examining the relationship between perinatal healthcare and psychological wellbeing in women with refugee backgrounds from Africa this study aimed to: (1) understand the relationship between psychological wellbeing and perinatal care amongst this population, and; (2) identify areas for improved perinatal healthcare services to ensure positive wellbeing outcomes in this population. Methods: A total of 39 participants were included in the study. Nineteen women from seven African countries participated in interviews – seven both prior to and after having their babies, two only while pregnant and ten only after their baby had been born. In addition, interviews were conducted with 20 service providers. Interviews were thematically analysed. Results: Four key themes were identified, covering co...
Housing is a social determinant of health, and previous research has linked housing with health f... more Housing is a social determinant of health, and previous research has linked housing with health for the general population. Less research has explored this relationship for people with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds in resettlement countries. This article reports on findings from the photovoice component of a larger study exploring housing and health for refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia. Participants were 11 refugees and asylum seekers who participated in a photovoice exercise, taking photographs of their housing and neighbourhood and then discussing these in an interview, with verbal data analyzed thematically. Participants identified several elements of housing that affected health, specifically the following: gardens, physical condition, space, layout and privacy and, in relation to neighbourhood, safety, green spaces and proximity to services. Cutting across these themes were affordability, security of tenure and agency which in turn affected ontological security. The article concludes that consideration of ways to promote ontological security in housing should be a critical component of resettlement policies.
Climate change is leading to an increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Spells of several... more Climate change is leading to an increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Spells of several consecutive days of unusually high temperatures have led to increased mortality rates for the more vulnerable in the community. The problem is compounded by the escalating energy costs and increasing peak electrical demand as people become more reliant on air conditioning. Domestic air conditioning is the primary determinant of peak power demand which has been a major driver of higher electricity costs. This report presents the findings of multidisciplinary research which develops a national framework to evaluate the potential impacts of heat waves. It presents a technical, social and economic approach to adapt Australian residential buildings to ameliorate the impact of heat waves in the community and reduce the risk of its adverse outcomes. Through the development of a methodology for estimating the impact of global warming on key weather parameters in 2030 and 2050, it is possible to...
ABSTRACT In Australia, densification trends and affordability issues have led to increased number... more ABSTRACT In Australia, densification trends and affordability issues have led to increased numbers of people living in high-density multi-owned forms of housing. These housing forms are characterized by close living arrangements, necessitating co-operation with and consideration for neighbours. In the absence of cooperation and consideration, strained relations/disputes among tenants are common, having the potential to result in a range of negative consequences for individual health and wellbeing. While most current research has focused on large-scale developments, little attention has been given to issues arising from smaller-scale multi-owned housing. Through 26 in-depth interviews with residents in smaller multi-owned housing in Adelaide and Melbourne, and drawing on the concept of obtrusive intimacy, this article explores the issue of noise in small multi-owned housing and its impacts on privacy, neighbour relations, and health and wellbeing.
Background People from ethnically diverse backgrounds living with HIV are susceptible to adverse ... more Background People from ethnically diverse backgrounds living with HIV are susceptible to adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly as a consequence of HIV-related stigma and discrimination (HSD), though relatively little is known about experiences in Australia. Methods This paper reports on HSD in ethnically diverse communities in South Australia and impacts on health and wellbeing. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 10 individuals living with HIV from ethnically diverse backgrounds, 14 ethnically diverse community leaders, and 50 service providers. Data were analysed thematically. Results Findings indicated that HIV is a highly stigmatised condition in ethnically diverse communities due to fear of moral judgment and social isolation, and was experienced at the intersections of gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, and immigration status. Experiences of HSD were damaging to health and wellbeing through non-disclosure, reduced social support, delayed t...
Employment and work-related exploitation and discrimination are important social determinants of ... more Employment and work-related exploitation and discrimination are important social determinants of health. However, little is known about the experiences of people on temporary visas in Australia, particularly those on refugee visas. This article reports on a study of people living on temporary visas in South Australia and their experiences of workforce exploitation and discrimination and impacts on health. Interviews were conducted with 30 people: 11 on non-refugee temporary visas and 19 on refugee temporary visas. Data was analyzed thematically. Analysis identified experiences of exploitation and discrimination in the Australian labor market that included difficulties securing work, underpayment, overwork, and hazardous workplaces. These experiences had negative health effects, particularly on mental health. None had made a formal complaint about their treatment, citing the precarity of their visas, difficulties finding an alternative job, and lack of knowledge about what to do. The...
This research project examined the experience of refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia w... more This research project examined the experience of refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia who had been in Australia for seven years or less, and aimed to: Document housing settlement experiences and links with social inclusion and health and wellbeing Investigate the policy, practice and community facilitators and barriers to positive housing experiences, social inclusion and wellbeing outcomes Use this evidence to develop recommendations to facilitate positive housing outcomes for asylum seekers and refugees in ways that promote social inclusion and health and wellbeing. Key recommendations While many people had successfully navigated the complexities of the housing market to secure housing in suitable neighborhoods, and had built a sense of social inclusion through social connections and voluntary activities, key areas for development identified in the research included: Housing: Housing affordability is vital for refugees and asylum seekers. Policy recommendations to address affordability include increasing welfare entitlements, making all refugees and asylum seekers eligible for rental assistance schemes and affordable housing, improved access to social housing, and providing assistance to gain employment.
Background Research has shown that discrimination is harmful to health, but there is relatively l... more Background Research has shown that discrimination is harmful to health, but there is relatively little known about discrimination experienced by people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds in resettlement countries and associated health effects. This qualitative-focused mixed methods paper reports on discrimination experienced by refugees and asylum seekers, responses to discrimination, and impacts on health. Methods As part of a broader study of housing, social inclusion and health, surveys were completed by 423 adult refugees and asylum seekers living in South Australia who had been in Australia for up to 7 years. The survey included questions on discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity and religion, as well as questions on hope, trust, belonging, sense of control and health (including the SF-8). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 65 survey participants, purposively sampled by visa status, continent and gender, further exploring experiences of discriminati...
Refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas typically experience interacting issues related to... more Refugees and asylum seekers on temporary visas typically experience interacting issues related to employment, financial precarity, and poor health and well-being. This research aimed to explore whether these issues were exacerbated by the social impacts of COVID-19. Interviews were conducted both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic with 15 refugees and asylum seekers living in South Australia on temporary visas. While this research found that COVID-19 did lead to a range of negative health and other outcomes such as employment challenges, a key finding was the reiteration of temporary visas as a primary pathway through which refugees and asylum seekers experience heightened precarity and the associated pervasive negative health and well-being outcomes. The findings emphasize the importance of immigration and welfare policy.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Refugee resettlement significantly contributes to Australia’s migration programs, with recent pol... more Refugee resettlement significantly contributes to Australia’s migration programs, with recent policy directives prioritising rural resettlement. As a result, the cultural diversity of populations of several Australian rural towns has substantially expanded. Newcomers may encounter challenges becoming part of closed social networks and accessing the resources they need for a healthy life in resettlement. However, there are also benefits that stem from positive integration for newcomers and for receiving populations. As part of a larger study, which aimed to explore facilitators and barriers to successful resettlement in a rural setting, the objective of this paper was to show how social ties were important for participants’ health, both facilitating access to resources, including health services, and connecting people to health-promoting living conditions. In-depth individual interviews with 44 participants from refugee communities originally from Africa and South-East Asia, settled ...
Journal of International Migration and Integration
Housing is an important part of building a new life for people from refugee and asylum seeker bac... more Housing is an important part of building a new life for people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds. However, relatively little is known about how housing and neighbourhood experiences affect resettlement and integration. This paper explored experiences of housing and neighbourhood for refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia, Australia. A survey was completed by 423 participants, recruited through service providers, community networks and snowball sampling. Data was analysed using frequencies, chi-square analyses and multivariate logistic regression. The study identified aspects of housing and neighbourhood that were important to participants, as well as highlighting key problems. Housing satisfaction and neighbourhood satisfaction were positively associated, but housing satisfaction was lower than neighbourhood satisfaction. Both were significantly associated with overall satisfaction with life in Australia, although only neighbourhood satisfaction remained significant...
Background: Experiences with healthcare services, including perinatal healthcare services, contri... more Background: Experiences with healthcare services, including perinatal healthcare services, contribute to psychological wellbeing for refugees post-resettlement. To address the paucity of literature examining the relationship between perinatal healthcare and psychological wellbeing in women with refugee backgrounds from Africa this study aimed to: (1) understand the relationship between psychological wellbeing and perinatal care amongst this population, and; (2) identify areas for improved perinatal healthcare services to ensure positive wellbeing outcomes in this population. Methods: A total of 39 participants were included in the study. Nineteen women from seven African countries participated in interviews – seven both prior to and after having their babies, two only while pregnant and ten only after their baby had been born. In addition, interviews were conducted with 20 service providers. Interviews were thematically analysed. Results: Four key themes were identified, covering co...
Housing is a social determinant of health, and previous research has linked housing with health f... more Housing is a social determinant of health, and previous research has linked housing with health for the general population. Less research has explored this relationship for people with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds in resettlement countries. This article reports on findings from the photovoice component of a larger study exploring housing and health for refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia. Participants were 11 refugees and asylum seekers who participated in a photovoice exercise, taking photographs of their housing and neighbourhood and then discussing these in an interview, with verbal data analyzed thematically. Participants identified several elements of housing that affected health, specifically the following: gardens, physical condition, space, layout and privacy and, in relation to neighbourhood, safety, green spaces and proximity to services. Cutting across these themes were affordability, security of tenure and agency which in turn affected ontological security. The article concludes that consideration of ways to promote ontological security in housing should be a critical component of resettlement policies.
Climate change is leading to an increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Spells of several... more Climate change is leading to an increased frequency and severity of heat waves. Spells of several consecutive days of unusually high temperatures have led to increased mortality rates for the more vulnerable in the community. The problem is compounded by the escalating energy costs and increasing peak electrical demand as people become more reliant on air conditioning. Domestic air conditioning is the primary determinant of peak power demand which has been a major driver of higher electricity costs. This report presents the findings of multidisciplinary research which develops a national framework to evaluate the potential impacts of heat waves. It presents a technical, social and economic approach to adapt Australian residential buildings to ameliorate the impact of heat waves in the community and reduce the risk of its adverse outcomes. Through the development of a methodology for estimating the impact of global warming on key weather parameters in 2030 and 2050, it is possible to...
ABSTRACT In Australia, densification trends and affordability issues have led to increased number... more ABSTRACT In Australia, densification trends and affordability issues have led to increased numbers of people living in high-density multi-owned forms of housing. These housing forms are characterized by close living arrangements, necessitating co-operation with and consideration for neighbours. In the absence of cooperation and consideration, strained relations/disputes among tenants are common, having the potential to result in a range of negative consequences for individual health and wellbeing. While most current research has focused on large-scale developments, little attention has been given to issues arising from smaller-scale multi-owned housing. Through 26 in-depth interviews with residents in smaller multi-owned housing in Adelaide and Melbourne, and drawing on the concept of obtrusive intimacy, this article explores the issue of noise in small multi-owned housing and its impacts on privacy, neighbour relations, and health and wellbeing.
Background People from ethnically diverse backgrounds living with HIV are susceptible to adverse ... more Background People from ethnically diverse backgrounds living with HIV are susceptible to adverse health and wellbeing outcomes, particularly as a consequence of HIV-related stigma and discrimination (HSD), though relatively little is known about experiences in Australia. Methods This paper reports on HSD in ethnically diverse communities in South Australia and impacts on health and wellbeing. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with 10 individuals living with HIV from ethnically diverse backgrounds, 14 ethnically diverse community leaders, and 50 service providers. Data were analysed thematically. Results Findings indicated that HIV is a highly stigmatised condition in ethnically diverse communities due to fear of moral judgment and social isolation, and was experienced at the intersections of gender, sexual orientation, religion, culture, and immigration status. Experiences of HSD were damaging to health and wellbeing through non-disclosure, reduced social support, delayed t...
Employment and work-related exploitation and discrimination are important social determinants of ... more Employment and work-related exploitation and discrimination are important social determinants of health. However, little is known about the experiences of people on temporary visas in Australia, particularly those on refugee visas. This article reports on a study of people living on temporary visas in South Australia and their experiences of workforce exploitation and discrimination and impacts on health. Interviews were conducted with 30 people: 11 on non-refugee temporary visas and 19 on refugee temporary visas. Data was analyzed thematically. Analysis identified experiences of exploitation and discrimination in the Australian labor market that included difficulties securing work, underpayment, overwork, and hazardous workplaces. These experiences had negative health effects, particularly on mental health. None had made a formal complaint about their treatment, citing the precarity of their visas, difficulties finding an alternative job, and lack of knowledge about what to do. The...
This research project examined the experience of refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia w... more This research project examined the experience of refugees and asylum seekers in South Australia who had been in Australia for seven years or less, and aimed to: Document housing settlement experiences and links with social inclusion and health and wellbeing Investigate the policy, practice and community facilitators and barriers to positive housing experiences, social inclusion and wellbeing outcomes Use this evidence to develop recommendations to facilitate positive housing outcomes for asylum seekers and refugees in ways that promote social inclusion and health and wellbeing. Key recommendations While many people had successfully navigated the complexities of the housing market to secure housing in suitable neighborhoods, and had built a sense of social inclusion through social connections and voluntary activities, key areas for development identified in the research included: Housing: Housing affordability is vital for refugees and asylum seekers. Policy recommendations to address affordability include increasing welfare entitlements, making all refugees and asylum seekers eligible for rental assistance schemes and affordable housing, improved access to social housing, and providing assistance to gain employment.
Background Research has shown that discrimination is harmful to health, but there is relatively l... more Background Research has shown that discrimination is harmful to health, but there is relatively little known about discrimination experienced by people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds in resettlement countries and associated health effects. This qualitative-focused mixed methods paper reports on discrimination experienced by refugees and asylum seekers, responses to discrimination, and impacts on health. Methods As part of a broader study of housing, social inclusion and health, surveys were completed by 423 adult refugees and asylum seekers living in South Australia who had been in Australia for up to 7 years. The survey included questions on discrimination based on skin colour, ethnicity and religion, as well as questions on hope, trust, belonging, sense of control and health (including the SF-8). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 65 survey participants, purposively sampled by visa status, continent and gender, further exploring experiences of discriminati...
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Papers by Moira Walsh