Migration, super-diversity, and health: Studies on immigrants’ health care integration in Norway

Abstract

This dissertation is about the extra-medical dimensions of immigrants’ health and health care integration. Based on qualitative research among Pakistanis and Somalis in Oslo, the inquiry explores two questions: How do immigrants’ cultural norms and values pertaining to family, gender roles, and social organization intertwine with processes of immigrants’ health care integration? How do immigrants negotiate health beliefs, behaviors, and health care-seeking practices? Building on classical sociological theory, Næss’ dissertation contributes to immigrant health research and the social scientific study of migration, diversification, and integration. The first article of the dissertation explores the link between integration, negotiations of intergenerational reciprocity, and responses to signs and symptoms of cognitive decline among Pakistanis. Article two is about trust, cultural health capital, and health care integration among Somali immigrants. The third article is about migration, gender role negotiations, and mental illness responses among Somalis in diaspora. Article four lends comparative attention to the bridge-builder role of Pakistani and Somali immigrant organizations.