188 How the self-care strategies of descendants of immigrants with chronic conditions are shaped by intersecting familial and societal expectations? A qualitative study

Abstract PTH 5: Exclusion and Discrimination, B307 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 15:15 - 16:09 Aim In Belgium, around one-fifth of the population has foreign origins, including descendants of immigrants (second-generation). Current research on this population focuses on acculturation, transmission of parental trauma, and experiences of discrimination impacting mental health. This study explores the psychosocial mechanisms by which the self-care strategies of descendants of immigrants with chronic conditions (DICC) are shaped, a topic that has received little attention. Methods We use a methodology informed by the principles of grounded theory, conducting in-depth interviews with DICCs. Constant comparative analysis is applied. So far, we have interviewed 10 participants with a multi-cultural background, aged 23 to 48, including 9 women and 1 man, with diverse chronic conditions. Results A first finding of our research so far highlights how parental influence shapes DICCs’ self-care strategies. To maintain good relationships with their parents, some participants occasionally followed parental advice, even recognizing it was based on a misinterpretation of their health conditions. For instance, some participants reported using natural remedies without expecting results or agreeing to consult specialists due to their parents’ belief in a possible cure for their chronic condition. A second finding concerns the experience of injustice within the healthcare system. Some participants reported witnessing injustice in the healthcare system during childhood, making them hesitant to seek medical help in vulnerable situations like emergency visits or surgeries. Some respondents reported that their concerns about racism and chronic conditions were dismissed by healthcare professionals, which diminished their trust in these providers. As a result, they turned to alternative treatments like dietary changes in the absence of control by the medical team. Conclusion This ongoing research highlights how conflicting family and societal expectations, along with experiences of discrimination may complicate self-care strategies of chronic conditions among DICCs. Emerging hypotheses and conceptual categories are still under development as the research continues.