The Refugee Experience of Social Cohesion in Australia: Exploring the Roles of Racism, Intercultural Contact, and the Media

Abstract

In this article we examine factors that enhance or disrupt social cohesion for refugees in communities in Perth, Sydney, and Murray Bridge. The data, from 54 interviews and focus groups with 138 people, are drawn from a larger study using Jenson's multidimensional framework of social cohesion. We found that racism, intercultural contact, and the media had multiple and interrelated effects on aspects of social cohesion such as belonging, participation, and inclusion. The findings demonstrate the utility of the multidimensional framework for understanding refugees’ settlement experiences and outcomes and highlight key areas for policy and practice in refugee resettlement in Australia.