Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Pristojkovic Suko, I.
Acculturation, adaptation, and health among Croatian migrants
in Austria and Ireland
Doktoratsstudium der Medizinischen Wissenschaft; Humanmedizin; [ Dissertation ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2024. pp. 103
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Freidl Wolfgang
- Greimel Elfriede Renate
- Stolz Erwin
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- A new wave of emigration started after Croatia's admission to the EU. Up to now, the research on Croatian migrants has only covered the changes in digital demographics and the causes of migration. Migration is a life event that may affect migrants' health and quality of life (QoL). The primary goal of this thesis was to investigate the interplay between self-perceived health, sense of coherence (SOC), acculturation, adaptation, and QoL among first-generation Croatian migrants in Austria and Ireland. Furthermore, the thesis aimed to analyze the impact of sociodemographic factors and health behavior on this relationship. Another objective of this thesis was to compare the perceived health status and QoL of Croats living in their home country with those living abroad. An online survey was carried out in Austria (N = 112), Ireland (N = 116), and Croatia (N = 121) using the LimeSurvey tool. The quotas were fulfilled according to age and gender (50% each). The questionnaire consisted of a range of topics, such as sociodemographic factors, health behavior, SOC, self-perceived health (comprising somatic symptoms and overall general health perception), and QoL (covering physical and psychological health, social relationships, and the environment) for Croatian individuals residing in their native country. Furthermore, questions were included to assess the acculturation and adaptation of Croats abroad. To discover the predictors of perceived health and QoL for Croats in each country, multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Ultimately, multivariate analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of covariance were used to compare the three countries to understand the differences between self-perceived health and QoL. In Austria and Ireland, SOC and psychological adaptation were the most significant predictors of self-perceived health and QoL. Furthermore, in Croatia, the SOC was the strongest predictor of perceived health and QoL. The results showed differences between all three countries after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and health behavior in the environmental domain of QoL. Knowledge about the predictors of perceived health status and QoL can minimize barriers to accessing healthcare and enhance the preventive care of migrants. The salutogenic model should be used in health policies and programs to improve the psychological adaptation of Croatian migrants and health-related QoL. In addition, salutogenic components could be used in health promotion for migrants and non-migrants.