The Meaning of Health, Well-Being, and Quality of Life Perceived by Roma People in West Sweden

Leena Eklund Karlsson, Kristine Crondahl, Fredrik Sunnemark and Åsa Andersson
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Leena Eklund Karlsson: Department of Health, Culture and Education Sciences, University West, Gustava Melinsgata 2, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
Kristine Crondahl: Department of Health, Culture and Education Sciences, University West, Gustava Melinsgata 2, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
Fredrik Sunnemark: Department of Health, Culture and Education Sciences, University West, Gustava Melinsgata 2, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
Åsa Andersson: Department of Social Work, University West, Gustava Melinsgata 2, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden

Societies, 2013, vol. 3, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Many Roma people in Sweden are on the margins of society and face problems of social exclusion, institutional discrimination, low education, unemployment, and poor health. The aim is to describe how a group of Roma people, in West Sweden, understand health, well-being, and quality of life within the Roma context, and how they cope with their life-situation. Data consisted of qualitative interviews. The data were analyzed qualitatively using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. The respondents mainly understood the concept of Health as “being healthy” and “feeling good”. Elements that were crucial part of the respondents’ health perception were being employed, having an education, social support from family and friends, freedom and security, and the extent of involvement in society. The results indicate that the respondents perceive their health and life situation as good, despite of their marginalized situation and discrimination.

Keywords: Roma people; health perceptions; quality of life; well-being; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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