Mitigating Discrimination’s Health Impact Among Muslims: A Mixed-Methods Study on Neighborhood Factors and Policy Strategies That Make a Difference

Abstract<br /> Discrimination against Muslims is a pressing concern in the Netherlands and beyond, yet its health impacts remain underexplored in the Dutch context. Another knowledge gap concerns the influence of local contexts in shaping the discrimination-health link. While literature shows that neighborhood factors may buffer the health impacts of perceived discrimination, this potential remains understudied among Dutch Muslims. <br /> <br /> Therefore, this mixed-methods research aimed to investigate the association between perceived discrimination (everyday and major forms) and self-assessed health and mental wellbeing among Muslims living in the neighborhoods Feijenoord and Schiebroek in Rotterdam. Using a self-designed “Protective Factors Framework,” I also examined how neighborhood factors - cohesion and intergroup contact - might buffer the health impacts of perceived discrimination. These relations were tested through a quantitative survey (n=152).<br /> <br /> Thereafter, a qualitative focus group was conducted, involving Muslims of both neighborhoods (n=5). This method enriched the quantitative findings, and aimed to identify additional local strategies or policies (not measured in the survey), that could also protect Muslims against adverse discrimination effects. This participatory approach aligns with calls for co-creation and responsiveness in public governance. Through this mixed-methods design, the study produced findings that are both empirically grounded and policy-relevant. <br /> <br /> Results generally showed that perceived discrimination was negatively associated with health outcomes, with the negative effect of everyday discrimination being more pronounced. However, everyday discrimination effects were mitigated by neighborhood factors. Perceived neighborhood cohesion buffered the negative impact of everyday discrimination on mental wellbeing in both neighborhoods, while quality of intergroup contact showed a protective effect specifically in Schiebroek. Similar buffering effects were not observed for the effect of major discrimination on health outcomes.<br /> <br /> The focus group revealed feelings of exclusion from policymaking and reluctance to seek mental and legal support after having experienced discrimination. Participants emphasized the value of sustained contact with non-Muslims for reducing prejudice and improving wellbeing. Finally, Muslims shared strategies to strengthen police-youth relations, echoing survey findings on police-related discrimination. This novel, mixed-methods study led to actionable policy recommendations, discussed at the end of this research paper.