Abstract
This study aimed to address a significant gap in the literature by investigating how Women of Refugee Background (WoRB) conceptualise resilience and identify factors that WoRB endorse as contributing to their wellbeing and coping during resettlement. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a group of 21 individuals (nine WoRB and 12 service providers). Thematic analysis identified that WoRB struggled to define resilience, with endorsed factors not fitting with current hegemonic Western understandings and theoretical understandings of resilience. The findings also highlighted how religious practice, finding a community and having a sense of meaning and contribution in their daily life were significant coping and wellbeing factors during resettlement, however, were difficult to access in regional resettlement locations. Results of the current study are discussed regarding theoretical and practical implications, taking into consideration the unique vulnerabilities experienced by WoRB resettled in regional locations of Australia.
Highlights
Women of Refugee Background (WoRB) are continually identified as a highly vulnerable refugee population (Shishehgar et al, 2017)
For the WoRB who had heard of resilience, it was a concept which encapsulated moving forward and coping
This study explored the concept of resilience, and factors that contributed to wellbeing and coping in WoRB resettled in regional Australia
Summary
Women of Refugee Background (WoRB) are continually identified as a highly vulnerable refugee population (Shishehgar et al, 2017). Throughout the refugee journey, WoRB face a high risk of experiencing gender-based violence and inequalities (Australian Government, 2020). These vulnerabilities are recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees through the ‘Women at Risk’ visa. This visa prioritises and expedites the resettlement of WoRB and their dependents identified as being at particular risk due to their gender and lack of protection, typically provided by a male family member (Vromans et al, 2018). Specialty section: This article was submitted to Cultural Psychology, a section of the journal
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