Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia

Background: Immigrants who relocate to a foreign country often face numerous stressors and challenges as they try to assimilate to a new culture. This transition can often have a significant impact on their mental well-being. In this qualitative study, we aim to explore and examine the life expe...

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Main Authors: Thartori, Voltisa, Hisham Ismail, Nik Ahamd
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2024
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/96306
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author Thartori, Voltisa
Hisham Ismail, Nik Ahamd
author_facet Thartori, Voltisa
Hisham Ismail, Nik Ahamd
author_sort Thartori, Voltisa
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Background: Immigrants who relocate to a foreign country often face numerous stressors and challenges as they try to assimilate to a new culture. This transition can often have a significant impact on their mental well-being. In this qualitative study, we aim to explore and examine the life experiences of 16 Albanian and Kosovo-Albania immigrants who have settled in Malaysia, as well as those who previously resided in Malaysia but are now living in Australia and Albania. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate two main objectives: (i) to explore immigrants’ psychological prob lems and how they perceive and approach mental well-being; and (ii) to identify the challenges and barriers that immigrants face in Malaysia. Methods: The data was obtained using a qualitative phenomenological case study, using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Results: The study’s findings indicate that immigrants’ mental well-being is positively affected by inner peace, happiness, fulfilling family needs, a balanced life, and self-improvement. On the other hand, challenges related to visa and employment pass issues, difficulty in securing employment status, feeling like a foreigner, and lack of family support have a negative impact on their mental well-being. Implications: The study’s findings advocate for targeted support programmes to address the psychological challenges of Albanian immigrants. Prioritising inner peace and self-improvement benefits their mental well-being. Policymakers are encouraged to prioritise reducing employment pass difficulties and fostering an inclusive job market to improve employment opportunities for this community.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-963062025-01-07T04:04:42Z Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia Thartori, Voltisa Hisham Ismail, Nik Ahamd Background: Immigrants who relocate to a foreign country often face numerous stressors and challenges as they try to assimilate to a new culture. This transition can often have a significant impact on their mental well-being. In this qualitative study, we aim to explore and examine the life experiences of 16 Albanian and Kosovo-Albania immigrants who have settled in Malaysia, as well as those who previously resided in Malaysia but are now living in Australia and Albania. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate two main objectives: (i) to explore immigrants’ psychological prob lems and how they perceive and approach mental well-being; and (ii) to identify the challenges and barriers that immigrants face in Malaysia. Methods: The data was obtained using a qualitative phenomenological case study, using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Results: The study’s findings indicate that immigrants’ mental well-being is positively affected by inner peace, happiness, fulfilling family needs, a balanced life, and self-improvement. On the other hand, challenges related to visa and employment pass issues, difficulty in securing employment status, feeling like a foreigner, and lack of family support have a negative impact on their mental well-being. Implications: The study’s findings advocate for targeted support programmes to address the psychological challenges of Albanian immigrants. Prioritising inner peace and self-improvement benefits their mental well-being. Policymakers are encouraged to prioritise reducing employment pass difficulties and fostering an inclusive job market to improve employment opportunities for this community. 2024 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/96306 10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100234 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ fulltext
spellingShingle Thartori, Voltisa
Hisham Ismail, Nik Ahamd
Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia
title Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia
title_full Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia
title_fullStr Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia
title_short Albania and Kosovo-Albania Immigrants' Perceptions of Mental Well-Being and the Psychological Challenges Faced in Malaysia
title_sort albania and kosovo-albania immigrants' perceptions of mental well-being and the psychological challenges faced in malaysia
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/96306