Background: Involuntary migration and adaptation to a new cultural environment is known to be a factor of psychological stress. Primary Health Care Nurses (PHCNs) frequently interact with refugee families as migrant health needs are mainly managed within Primary Health Care.

Aim: To describe the health of the involuntary migrated family in transition as conceptualized by Swedish PHCNs.

 Method: Thirty-four PHCNs from two municipalities in Sweden were interviewed and phenomenographical contextual analysis was used in analysing the data.

 Findings: Four family profiles were created, each epitomizing the health characteristics of a migrated family in transition: (1) a mentally distressed family wedged in the asylum-seeking process, (2) an insecure family with immigrant status, (3) a family with internal instability and segregated from  society, and (4) a stable and wellfunctioning family integrated in society. Contextual socio-environmental stressors such as living in uncertainty awaiting asylum, having unprocessed traumas, change of family roles, attitudes of the host country and social segregation within society were found to be detrimental to the well-being of the family.

 Conclusion: Acceptance and a clear place in society as well as clearly defined family roles are crucial in facilitating a healthy transition for refugee families. Primary Health Care Nursing can facilitate this by adopting a family system perspective in strengthening the identity of the families and reducing the effects of socio-environmental stressors.

Background: Involuntary migrant families in cultural transition face a number of challenges to their health and to family cohesion. Primary health care nurses (PHCNs) therefore play a vital role in the assessment and promotion of their health.

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the promotion of health in involuntary migrant families in cultural transition as conceptualized by Swedish PHCNs.

Method: Interviews were conducted with 34 strategically chosen PHCNs covering the entire range of the primary health care sector in two municipalities of Southern Sweden. A contextual approach with reference to phenomenography was used in interpreting the data.

Findings: There are three qualitatively different descriptive categories epitomizing the characteristics of the PHCNs' promotion of health: (1) an ethnocentric approach promoting physical health of the individual, (2) an empathic approach promoting mental health of the individual in a family context, and (3) a holistic approach empowering the family to function well in everyday life.

Conclusions: For nurses to promote involuntary migrant families'health in cultural transition, they need to adopt a holistic approach. Such an approach demands that nurses cooperate with other health care professionals and community authorities, and practise family-focused nursing; it also demands skills in intercultural communication paired with cultural self-awareness in interacting with these families. Adequate knowledge regarding these skills should therefore be included in the education of nurses, both at under- and at post-graduate level.

Involuntary migration and adaptation to a new cultural environment is known to be a stress factor. The aim of the study was to explore the impact of involuntary migration on the family health in order to identify specific health care issues related to refugee families in transition living in Sweden. Data was collected through interviews with 16 members of 10 different refugee families from Balkan countries, Kurdistan and Africa for which permission was obtained from the chairman of the local ethnic organizations in a municipality in the southern part of Sweden. In interpreting the material, analysis was made using a contextual approach with reference to phenomenography. The analysis resulted in four qualitatively different descriptive categories characterizing the health of the families: a distressed family living under prolonged tension; a contented family who leads a satisfactory life; a frustrated family who cannot lead a fully satisfactory life and a dejected family who feels deserted. Stressors seeking asylum, facing unemployment and changed roles, interacted negatively within the family. A friendly and understanding attitude from the host country was the main factor in promoting the health of the refugee families. Nursing interventions should therefore assist the families accordingly in order to promote the stability of the family system.

Background: Refugee families face a complex transition due to involuntary migration exposing them to vulnerability in cohesion and family function. Since migrant health care is mainly managed by the Primary Health Care sector, interpreters play a critical role in bridging the gap amongst these families and the Primary Health Care system. Aim: To explore and describe interpreters’ experiences of promoting health in involuntarily migrated families in cultural transition living in Sweden. Method: Ten interpreters from five ethnic groups were interviewed and contextual analysis was used in analysing the data. Result: Promoting health in refugee families was conceived as improving family members psychological wellness despite past experiences by promoting a future, promoting consideration of one’s worth and promoting stability of the family unit. Social interactions within the host country, recognition and appreciation of the families’ cultural values and beliefs as well as competence and proper and elucidative information regarding the functioning of the host country was considered necessary in the promotion of health of these families. Conclusion:  Promoting health in involuntarily migrated families will have to facilitate a healthy transition. Primary Health Care Nurses can do this by proper cooperation with community and ethnic organisations and by adopting a family system perspective in communicating the family’s transition experiences in a sensitive manner.