Abstract:

Background:
European migration scholars have debated whether selected sick Africans migrate to Europe; hence, this study looks at the pre-, during, and post-experiences of African migrants in six European countries and how these experiences inform mental health problems in some migrants and at the same time provide to serve as educational and learning experiences to potential migrants and receiving and sending countries.

Method:
Six gender-specific focus group discussions lasting 90 minutes were conducted among African refugees in six EU countries. A semi-structured interview assessed stress and trauma across pre- and post-migration experiences. The discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using consensual qualitative research and a constant comparison method.

Results:
Three temporal themes were identified: push and pull factors, challenges experienced (pre- and post-migration traumas), and coping behaviours. While there were some experiential differences, both men and women shared numerous traumatic experiential commonalities in different countries. In addition to the themes, five to ten sub-themes explained the push-pull factors and challenges faced in foreign countries affecting mental health.

Conclusion:
The study concluded that despite the difficulties in countries of origin, African refugees may be exchanging old struggles for new arrays of foreign and traumatic challenges. Recommendations advocating for good immigration policies and good educational learning issues were provided.

Keywords:

Accuturation, Stress, Mental health, African migrants.