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Module Code - Title:

PS6192 - MIGRATION: INCLUSION AND HEALTH - ONLINE

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

7

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

The purpose of this module is to analyze and discuss the consequences of migration and displacement on the well-being of migrants or displaced populations (refugees, asylum seekers), specifically their health, access to health services and social inclusion. It particularly focusses on how psychological research can contribute to a better understanding of health and inclusion needs, and on how cross-cultural psychological research can support the multiple stakeholders involved in relevant interventions.

Syllabus:

The module is taught in three parts. Part 1 focuses on the individual level taking into account the health condition and needs of people who engage in mobility, before and during migration or (forced) displacement. We focus on physical and mental health needs and patterns, depending on different life-stages (i.e., children, adolescents, adults, older adults), life conditions (i.e., single, unaccompanied or family), on particular conditions due to the stages of migration (i.e., pre-departure factors, refugee camps) or due to the causes of mobility (i.e., from situations of war to those of natural disasters). Part 2 looks into the societal level, and how nationally and internationally, the health of migrants and health systems deal with specific challenges. We discuss the role of language and cultural barriers in accessing health services, the use of ethnic markers in health systems for monitoring, relevant policies and broader social determinants of health which have crucial consequences on the social inclusion of migrants in their place of destination (i.e., temporary camps, asylum seeker centres, or host societies). Part 3 compares and analyses the advantages and disadvantages of various programs of intervention for the inclusion and general well-being of migrants at community, national and international levels.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Use psychological knowledge about human development across the lifespan to address issues related to migrant health and social inclusion. Demonstrate understanding and exercise how to use knowledge on cognitive, emotional, social-psychological processes in solving research and practical problems. Critically assess the health needs of migrants, by using a psychological understanding of cultural differences. Recognize and critically discuss social and political determinants of health and social inclusion of migrants or displaced people. Assess and criticize key aspects of health systems and intervention programs, using insights from cross-cultural and social psychological research.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: Demonstrate confidence in one's intercultural awareness, sensitivity and competencies applied particular projects. Have the ability to empathize with people in vulnerable situations as well as interact with professional objectivity. Demonstrate critical skills based on reflections of attitudes and behaviours, developed via self-reflection and situational analyses, considering the ethos of the psychological profession. Have the ability to manage a small team in project work (goals, tasks, timelines and quality of project) via engagement in group-based coursework. Have the ability to recognize opportunities for self-development and teamwork compatible with the psychological professional code of conduct.

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The 3 parts of the module will have online lectures complemented with tutorials, with a view of preparing for module coursework. Students are invited to identify the social determinants of health related to a particular migration/displacement phase or population (Graduate Attributes: collaborative, knowledgeable). For example: unaccompanied minors, or single men, or people in transit, people in refugee camps. Students will further explore and analyze specific issues. For example, those issues can be related to any aspect of accessing health services or social inclusion that migrants might be confronted with (Graduate Attributes: knowledgeable, articulate). Finally, students are invited to criticize and compare the advantages and disadvantages of different intervention programs targeting migrants or displaced populations, focusing in particular on psychological knowledge and research (Graduate Attributes: responsible, proactive). Throughout the module, students are introduced to relevant theories and research, and engaged in application of this knowledge in coursework. Students are therefore actively developing a comprehensive understanding of health and social inclusion as multi-dimensional, multi-level and multi-stakeholder processes, where individual and social psychological insights need to be combined with a cross-cultural, international and trans-national understanding of how people define and achieve well-being.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

Roberts, L. M., Achotegui, J., Allen, R. C., Lopez, M., & Fakhri, M. (2022) Understanding the Ulysses Syndrome, Effective Engagement, and Ways to Heal , ENGAGE!, 4(2), 38-49

Other Relevant Texts:

Wong, T. P. and Wong, L. C. J. (2006) Handbook of Multicultural Perspectives on Stress and Coping. , Springer US

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

MSPSSCTFA - PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Spring

Module Leader:

sarah.jay@ul.ie