Chapter 5 - Pre-migration, personality and precipitating factors

Summary

The migration process will be affected by personality characteristics and other factors such as education, socio-economic status, previous experience of migration and the social capital which people bring with them when they migrate. Several biological, psychological and social environmental and cultural factors interact and lead to the development of a bio-psycho-social model of aetiology and management. Individuals are born into a culture and not with a culture. Cultures are dynamic and keep changing as a result of coming into contact with other cultures, through direct or indirect contact. Social factors such as unemployment, poor housing, urbanisation, over-crowding and changes in family structure have been shown to be related to poor mental health. Poor educational background will influence pre- and post-migration experiences. After migration, the possibility of cultural bereavement, culture shock or cultural conflict will play a role in adjustment to the new culture.