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

Author

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  • Leena Eklund Karlsson

    (Department of Health, Culture and Education Sciences, University West, Gustava Melinsgata 2, 46186 Trollhättan, Sweden
    Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs vej 9, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark)

  • 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Leena Eklund Karlsson & Kristine Crondahl & Fredrik Sunnemark & Åsa Andersson, 2013. "The Meaning of Health, Well-Being, and Quality of Life Perceived by Roma People in West Sweden," Societies, MDPI, vol. 3(2), pages 1-18, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:3:y:2013:i:2:p:243-260:d:26388
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Kristine Crondahl & Leena Eklund Karlsson, 2015. "Roma Empowerment and Social Inclusion Through Work-Integrated Learning," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(1), pages 21582440155, February.
    2. Margareta Herțanu, 2020. "Values and Education in the Roma Communities," Moldavian Journal for Education and Social Psychology, Editura Lumen, vol. 4(1), pages 20-58, December.
    3. Panita Suavansri & Nipat Pichayayothin & Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa & Poonsub Areekit & Chureerat Nilchantuk & Torin S. Jones & Joanna J. French & Emily Mam & Jessie B. Moore & Catherine A. Heaney, 2022. "Well-being in Thailand: A Culturally Driven Grounded Inquiry Exploration of a Complex Construct," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 17(6), pages 3327-3347, December.
    4. Craig A. Talmage & Chad Frederick, 2019. "Quality of Life, Multimodality, and the Demise of the Autocentric Metropolis: A Multivariate Analysis of 148 Mid-Size U.S. Cities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 141(1), pages 365-390, January.

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