Researchers from the University of Adelaide have explored how cultural norms and beliefs have shaped the intimate relationships and attitudes of first-generation migrant and refugee women.
Through the study, led by PhD student Negin Damabi and Associate Professor Zohra Lassi, from the University's School of Public Health and Robinson Research Institute, the stories of 20 women from South Asia, East Asia, Africa and the Middle East to better understand the challenges they face.
"Recently published reviews have found more than 50 per cent of Australian women reported sexually related personal distress, which highlights the widespread nature of sexual health challenges," says Miss Damabi.
"However, we know women from refugee and migrant backgrounds face their own set of unique challenges in navigating intimacy and sexual function post-migration due to a range of factors, including displacement, gender norms and systemic marginalisation.
"Our study wanted to explore the perspectives and lived experiences of first-generation migrant and refugee women in the scope of these challenges, as we know there is a gap in the research in the space."
Miss Damabi said the qualitative study, published in International Journal for Equity in Health, found that the deeply internalised cultural norms shape not just attitudes toward sex, but also emotional safety and social visibility.
"The participants told us migration to Australia played a pivotal role in their personal growth and self-esteem, by offering them a chance to regain control of their lives and sexual wellbeing, as well as newfound freedoms which allowed them to make decisions independently," says Miss Damabi.
"This sense of autonomy was reflected in various aspects of their lives, such as living arrangements, financial independence, and personal choices.
"However, despite this greater sense of freedom, some participants found it challenging to fully embrace it, as traditional beliefs and values from their home countries remained deeply ingrained.
"This study contributes to growing evidence on the ways migration, culture, and gender intersect to shape sexual wellbeing."
The experiences of participants were grouped into three main themes: cultural and sociocultural factors influencing sexual function, sexual function transitions after migration and navigating sexual healthcare services and systemic challenges.
"The women in this study described a range of influences, from cultural taboos and family expectations to healthcare accessibility and sexual autonomy, that shaped how they understood, expressed, and managed their sexual function," says Miss Damabi.
"Rather than presenting a uniform narrative, participants offered diverse and sometimes contradictory experiences, reflecting the fluid and negotiated nature of sexual function in the migration context.
"The study also highlights the adaptive capacity demonstrated by many participants in navigating these cultural negotiations.
"Despite facing cultural taboos, emotional conflict, and systemic healthcare barriers, many women demonstrated resourcefulness in maintaining their sexual wellbeing.
"This included engaging in self-education, seeking culturally or linguistically appropriate providers, and setting personal boundaries within intimate relationships.
"These behaviours reflect a capacity to negotiate conflicting cultural messages while prioritising personal agency and health-an adaptive response that emerges from, rather than despite, cultural tension."
Miss Damabi said the overall findings pointed out the urgent need for culturally competent healthcare, affordable SRH services, and targeted policy support.
"Healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organisations must act collectively to remove access barriers and deliver inclusive care," she said.
"Addressing these needs is essential for improving health equity and supporting the wellbeing and integration of migrant women in an increasingly diverse Australia."
