This research focuses on the mental health of Bhutanese refugees. The specific research objective was to explore the association between social support and mental health conditions among the Bhutanese refugee community in Columbus Ohio. Interviews were conducted with 200 resettled Bhutanese refugees using convenience and snow-ball sampling methods. Participants were asked questions adapted from the CDC study regarding Bhutanese refugees as well as the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire to gather information regarding socio demographic factors, suicide ideation, trauma exposure, social support, and post settlement difficulties. Throughout my research, it was found that social support had a significant effect on the mental health of Bhutanese refugees. Bhutanese Refugees with low (OR: 13.74 ; 95%CI: ) and medium (OR: 5.83; 95%CI: ) social support had significantly higher odds of mental health conditions than Bhutanese refugees with high social support. Mental health is a common and significant issue in refugee communities. There are many determinants of mental health including age, education, access to health care, and social support. However, the lack of social support is common in refugee populations due to relocations and language barriers. Therefore, my study focused specifically on the role of social support on mental health. As a public health and pre-medical studies student at Miami University, this research has taught me more about the health of my greater community. Being able to conduct research that is applicable to better understanding the health of my community is essential to moving forward to medical school. I plan to continue conducting research that will help me better understand the health of the communities I may eventually serve.
Author: Bunsi Chapadia
Faculty Advisor: Saruna Ghimire, Sociology and Gerontology
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