Refugee Experience Research Articles

Mental Health and Well-Being of LGBTQ+ Refugees in Comparison to LGBTQ+ Host Country Population

Abstract Introduction LGBTQ+ refugees are likely to experience heightened mental health burdens and lower levels of well-being when compared to LGBTQ+ individuals without refugee experience. Still, the distinctive psychological mechanisms explaining their heightened levels of distress remain understudied. We examined the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ refugees in comparison to LGBTQ+ host country individuals in Germany and explored whether disparities are potentially mediated by proximal and distal minority stress. Methods In 2019, LGBTQ+ refugees (n1 = 139) and LGBTQ+ Germans (n2 = 262) participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Using path analysis, we compared mental health burdens (symptoms of depression/anxiety, post-traumatic stress) and well-being (life satisfaction, self-esteem) to understand how these variables are mediated by proximal (internalized homophobia, heightened vigilance) and distal minority stress (experiences of discrimination). Results LGBTQ+ refugees reported higher mental health burdens and lower life satisfaction yet no differences in self-esteem. Distal minority stress (discrimination) mediated the link between LGBTQ+ refugee status and symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Proximal minority stress mediated both heightened symptoms of depression/anxiety and lower well-being for LGBTQ+ refugees. Conclusions Linked to experiences of minority stress, LGBTQ+ refugees in Germany might be at a heightened risk for increased mental health burdens and lower well-being. Compared to host-country LGBTQ+ communities, LGBTQ+ refugees might experience different profiles of minority stress, including more distal minority stress. Policy Implications Both administrators and the local LGBTQ+ community need to be aware of the particular vulnerability and needs of LGBTQ+ refugees for protection and safety (e.g., housing) and the prevention of exploitation.

Exploring perceptions and experiences of gender-based violence among women in a refugee camp setting in Uganda-A qualitative study.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an internationally widespread human rights and public health issue, known to be exacerbated and underreported in humanitarian settings and among conflict-affected populations. A combination of factors including increased vulnerability, lack of protection and marginalization are believed to increase the risk for GBV in settings such as displacement and refugee camps. An increased understanding of GBV in these populations is needed to inform and improve future policy changes and interventions. This qualitative study sought to explore women's perceptions and experiences of GBV in a refugee camp setting in Uganda to increase the understanding of the dynamics and risk contexts of GBV in the context of displacement and refugee camps. This was a qualitative study based on individual semi-structured interviews and content analysis. The interviews were conducted during October 2023 with women living in a refugee camp setting in Western Uganda. The participants (N = 13) included female refugees, residing in the refugee camp, above eighteen years of age and who were survivors of GBV. Findings showed no easy escape route from gender-based violence, with a high exposure to GBV throughout the refugee experience. The nature of GBV, the perpetrators and risk contexts however seemed to shift throughout the process from conflict to the refugee camp. Increased marginalization and lack of resources compounded by a shift in gender roles in the refugee camp where women seemed to assume the role of the primary provider increased the risk of violence in pursuit of basic needs. Women described extensive intimate partner violence (IPV) in the camp often connected to new gendered power dynamics and the control of resources. Faced with the struggles of migration, marginalization, and GBV, women displayed various coping mechanisms including rebuilding networks and support systems. Our study showed the complexity of GBV in settings such as refugee camps, where various structural and individual changes involved in migration and life in a refugee camp seemed to create new risk contexts for GBV both inside and outside of the household. Interventions across various dimensions including addressing underlying conditions of marginalization and gendered power dynamics are therefore warranted to address GBV in refugee camps. Further research is essential to better understand this complex issue, as well as the perception and effectiveness of services and interventions in place.

Mediating digital literacies across transnational refugee networks: language and resilience inside and outside Syria

ABSTRACT The challenges encountered by refugees in resource-low settings has led to increased calls for new approaches to understanding the role of digital literacies in enhancing resilience by building on the experiences of refugees in the Global South. Moreover, there have been repeated calls from within academic circles and the humanitarian sector for more inclusive approaches which de-centre outsider assumptions about refugees’ lived experience. This paper addresses these gaps in the current landscape of migration studies with an account of refugee-led participatory research with a focus on how language as a source of capital is used to enhance resilience across refugee networks when mediating health literacies. Drawing on concepts from critical multilingualism which deconstruct and decentre otherwise privileged language practices, the study illustrates how refugee family members outside Syria mediate complex health literacies as part of their everyday digital literacies for non-refugee members inside Syria, thereby enhancing the resilience of transnational family members across the network. The findings reveal how refugee-led research is best facilitated when refugees’ own language practices are a priority in research design. Working in this way illustrates how research teams negotiate power relations in their research by foregrounding research dynamics and structural hierarchies within interdisciplinary research.

Surviving the Shadows: Armed Conflict Exposure and Forced Displacement Experience of Cameroonian Refugees in Southern Nigeria

Surviving the Shadows: Armed Conflict Exposure and Forced Displacement Experience of Cameroonian Refugees in Southern Nigeria

Turkish Immigrants’ Perceptions of the Polish Healthcare System

The experiences of migrants and refugees within the healthcare system play an important role in ensuring mutual adaptation. The questions we address focus on accessibility to healthcare, lack of trust and communication, and the social adaptation of Turkish immigrants in Poland . Turkish immigrants hold significant importance in the immigrant population of Poland, both from historical and socioeconomic-cultural perspectives. The Polish healthcare system has recently faced serious due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic and the influx of refugees. As the Turkish immigrant population expands in Poland, the importance of the position of increases, as it shapes healthcare relations among both Turkish immigrants and the general Polish population. With this research, we aim to understand the health experiences of migrants and the factors affecting these experiences, focusing on the relationship between the health system in Poland and its migrants. Our data was collected through interviews with 11 Turkish immigrants from Warsaw, Poznań, Toruń, Wrocław, and Bydgoszcz, along with participant observation in Poland. The findings point to the complex interplay of challenges and opportunities in migrants' healthcare experiences in Poland. Our data suggest that the healthcare system is one of the areas in which migrants are vulnerable in the host country, and states should focus on it to support the adaptation process.

'The Letter Says I May or May Not Be Eligible… It Is a Big Doubt and Frustrating:' A Qualitative Study on Barriers and Facilitators to Children's Oral Healthcare From the Perspective of Karen Refugee Parents in Victoria.

Australia has a longstanding tradition of resettling refugees and individuals in humanitarian need. Among these, the Karen community from Southeast Asia is rapidly growing in Australia. The absence of data on the barriers they face in accessing dental services is concerning. This study explores the barriers and facilitators Karen refugees encounter when seeking oral healthcare for their children in Australia, aiming to understand their experiences. Using a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 parents (17 females and 6 males) who had been in Australia for 1-17 years. Each interview, lasting between 35 and 60 min, was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were thematically analysed through an inductive, data-driven approach, focusing on open coding and participant-based meanings. Nine main themes were identified. At the individual level, cultural practices, parental behaviours and perceptions were the primary barriers. At the organisational level, long waiting lists in the public dental system were significant barriers. Additionally, a lack of knowledge about financial benefits and government support for children's dental care deterred refugees from seeking dental services. The results also highlighted the strengths of support networks, free dental care for children and school-based dental care programmes. Parents reported experiences of inadequate oral healthcare, citing issues such as insufficient cultural sensitivity training among dental service providers, interpreter problems and shortages. These experiences revealed gaps in the provision of oral healthcare services. When designing tailored oral health promotion programs, all stakeholders must consider the lived experiences of refugees as valuable sources of information. The authors thank the parents and carers from the Karen refugee community for sharing their experiences with the oral healthcare of their children. Recruitment was facilitated by the Karen Organisation of Bendigo and Bendigo Community Health Services. An interpreter from the Karen refugee community assisted in all the interviews.

Women’s Strategies to Cope with Harassment in Za’atari Camp and the Role of Humanitarian Reporting Mechanisms

Abstract The refugee experience is frequently marred by pervasive gender-based violence, particularly harassment, in refugee camps. Women, disproportionately affected due to entrenched gender biases, often suffer in silence due to societal stigma. In Za’atari Camp in Jordan, women face various forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), notably verbal harassment, exacerbating their plight amidst a culture of victim-blaming. While humanitarian efforts have made strides, challenges persist in reporting and adopting sensitive response mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate gaps in protection plans, response procedures, and reporting at Za’atari Camp, analysing coping mechanisms and resistance behaviours of women facing harassment. With 409 survey responses, findings reveal enduring verbal harassment and reporting barriers fuelled by fear of repercussions and survivor blaming. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the effective implementation of humanitarian policies and standard operating procedures, necessitating collective action to create a supportive environment for all women in the camp.

Towards black methods in research with refugees

Abstract Critical approaches to forced displacement and migration studies gesture towards methodologies and theoretical orientations that are contextualized within the complex socialities of refuge lifeworlds and ways of being. This article offers methodological approaches that account for the forces of displacement as well as the layered and textured experiences of forcibly displaced people. Turning to black studies and black feminist thought, the article examines how forcibly displaced people navigate and contest resettlement processes in the USA. Thinking with empirical material from a research study engaging with forcibly displaced interlocutors from East and Central Africa and refugee resettlement personnel, the article illuminates critical methods of interpreting the experiences of refugees and forms of resettlement through the lenses of black studies and black feminist thought.

Narratives of Securitization: Media Portrayals of Refugees in Türkiye During Election Periods

This study investigates the portrayal of Syrian refugees in theTurkish media within the theoretical framework of securitization, focusing on the context of seven electoral periods between 2014 and 2023. Employing thematic analysis as its methodological approach, the research meticulously examines a dataset comprising 12,794 newspaper articles to explore how the narratives surrounding Syrian refugees have been shaped and influenced by the political climate of elections in Türkiye. The analysis aims to uncover the extent to which Syrian refugees are securitized in media discourse, identifying variations in the intensity and nature of coverage across different types of elections and among various media outlets, including both state-run and private newspapers. The findings reveal that 21% of the media coverage categorizes Syrian refugees under criminal themes, with a significant emphasis on "smuggling" and "caught" sub-themes. This securitization of refugees varies significantly during electoral periods, suggesting a strategic use of media narratives to influence public opinion and potentially affect electoral outcomes. The study highlights a dynamic interplay between media representations of refugees and the electoral cycle, with private media (Habertürk & Hürriyet) outlets showing a more pronounced fluctuation in coverage compared to state-run media (TRT). This research contributes to the discourse on the media securitization of refugees by providing empirical insights into the politicization of refugee issues during critical political junctures. It underscores the pivotal role of the media in shaping societal perceptions and dialogues about refugees, thereby informing both public discourse and policymaking. The findings of this study highlight the need for a critical examination of the social and political implications of media practices. Additionally, they argue for a journalistic approach that accurately reflects the complexity of the refugee experiences and operates with a sense of responsibility.

Quantifying the stability of refugee populations: a case study in Austria

The global surge in displacement, with nearly 110 million people uprooted due to violence, underscores the pressing need to comprehend the challenges faced by refugees. Population growth, environmental crises, and political instability contribute to this crisis, projecting an escalating trend in the decades ahead. While hosting countries strive to address concerns related to labour markets, state provisions, and cultural integration, understanding the well-being of refugees upon entry needs to be more adequately explored. This study focuses on refugee stability and integration, employing Austria as a case study. Stability is assessed through residential movement, where more frequent moves indicate instability. Utilising comprehensive administrative data spanning November 2022 to November 2023, we examine residence movements as a proxy for stability. Our findings reveal a stark contrast in the stability of refugees compared to other migrant groups. Analysing movement profiles, we establish that refugees exhibit significantly higher rates of residential mobility than their counterparts, especially among male refugees. This imbalance persists even when comparing refugees to migrants from top refugee-sending countries without official refugee status. This study contributes valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of refugee stability, shedding light on the enduring challenges faced by this population. By examining movement patterns as a key indicator, we provide a nuanced understanding of the residential experiences of refugees, that can inform targeted policies and interventions for enhanced refugee well-being and integration.

Disaggregating citizenship: Tibetan refugees navigating identity, belonging, and exclusionary state policies in India

AbstractThis essay explores the struggles of second‐generation Tibetan refugees under an exclusionary Indian citizenship regime. Confronted with a national orthodoxy that entwines legal status, entitlements, and national identity, Tibetans respond by “disaggregating” citizenship. First, stateless Tibetans, born in India to refugee parents, won legal appeals by demonstrating that Tibetan nationality was no bar to Indian citizenship. In response, Indian authorities demanded that Tibetans give up refugee entitlements and remove themselves from their national space and political community in exile as the price of Indian citizenship. This article explores the diverse responses of Tibetans to the citizenship‐on‐offer: some aspiring for it, some accepting it, and others actively rejecting it. These responses illustrate strategies refugees employ to navigate citizenship regimes that often render them liminal. Refugees act both to mitigate the precarity of statelessness and to preserve their identity, community, and political aspirations against erasure. In doing so, they not only disrupt the national orthodoxy of states that negates refugee experiences but also reveal the incompleteness and contradictions of citizenship regimes.

Dental Health Adjuncts and Care: Exploring Access Among Asylum Seekers and Refugees in London, United Kingdom.

This work examines and describes dental health among people seeking asylum and refugees (PSAR) who are evaluated by the Respond service. This includes access to and use of oral health products, access to dental care, and experience of dental pain. The Respond service pilot offered holistic health assessments to PSAR in temporary accommodation within North Central London between July 2021 and March 2023. Relevant data were extracted from anonymized health records of individuals seen by Respond. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 28.0.0.0; IBM) to produce descriptive statistics and regression models. An overall 1,390 PSAR were included; 78.7% were male. The mean ages of adults and children were 31.6 and 6.8 y. Seventy-seven countries of birth were reported, most commonly Iran (23.1%). Over two-thirds (67.1%) of PSAR were not accompanied by family members; only 17.2% had UK family links. The mean travel duration was 769.3 days; migration reasons were multifactorial, including persecution (31.2%) and conflict (20.5%). In addition, 77.3% of PSAR reported having access to a toothbrush; only 50.8% indicated routinely brushing their teeth, with 38.9% having seen a dentist in <36 mo. Dental pain was common (28.8%). Only 45.8% of children (<16 y) had access to a toothbrush, 32.3% were brushing their teeth twice daily, and 9.7% cited dental pain. Logistic regression identified significant predictors of routine toothbrushing, access to dental care, and dental pain. Female PSAR were more likely to routinely brush their teeth (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 3.19; P < 0.001) and access dental care (adjusted OR, 0.57; P < 0.05). PSAR aged 30 to 39 y (adjusted OR, 1.97; P < 0.05) and those with informal travel modes (adjusted OR, 1.82; P < 0.001) were more likely to experience pain. There is variation in the dental experience of PSAR, but a significant proportion are failing to perform routine toothbrushing, are not regularly accessing dental care, and are experiencing dental pain.Knowledge Transfer Statement: The results of this analysis suggest that there is variation in the dental experience of people seeking asylum and refugees, but many are failing to perform routine toothbrushing, are not regularly accessing dental care, and are experiencing dental pain.

EMIGRATIONAL TRAUMA OF WAR IN VLADYSLAV IVCHENKO’S LITERARY VISION

The Russian war against Ukraine has been going on for 10 years and continues to influence the national culture in a very distinctive way. Over the past decade, this traumatic event has created a peculiar cultural discourse where literature has taken a special place. Its new stage, which began in February 2022, not only gave rise to an even more intense artistic reaction to the lived experience of Ukrainians, but also opened up prospects for new literary themes and methods of their interpretation. Trauma in its individual and national dimensions naturally became the central issue in such texts. Vladyslav Ivchenko’s book “After the 24th” clarifies and complements the discourse of the cultural reception of the war, describing its front and rear experiences in real time. The trauma of forced emigration, triggered by the full-scale Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, is a new problematic aspect that requires special attention. The author of the paper analyzes a new dimension of the emigrational trauma, related to the war experiences of Ukrainian refugees. Through the fates of three individual women, Vladyslav Ivchenko demonstrates the prospects of Ukrainian national trauma, which includes the loss of homes, loved ones, and, most importantly, the belief that the world and life could return to what they were before February 24, 2022. The trauma of forced emigration continuously offers new perspectives for understanding the behavior of a national culture during the war, particularly in the context of creating wartime literature, which is an effective component of the trauma recovery process. Literature plays an important role in this context, and Ivchenko’s book exemplifies this role most effectively.

Trauma Narratives: Collective Memories as Literature by Indochinese Refugees in the United States

Indochinese refugees in the United States are part of Asian Americans, whose narratives portray their life in their home countries, journeys to the new world and life in the United States, their new world. This study investigates three primary texts by American authors of Indochinese descent, including Lan Cao’s Monkey Bridge, Sichan Siv’s Golden Bones and Sucheng Chan’s Hmong Means Free. These three texts are highly historicised, portraying traumatic experiences of Indochinese refugees who suffer from war and communist persecution in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, respectively. These texts are considered trauma narratives serving as collective memories of those people, which help them to remember their pasts and constitute their group identity. The narratives in the three primary texts also explain how Indochinese subjects come to be Asian Americans and reveal that in fact the United States is considered an important cause of their diaspora and trauma. The authors of those narratives are unable to eradicate the traumatic memories from their psyche, so they yearn for voices to vent out those memories as a form of healing. Their trauma narratives have become part of American culture which is partially constituted by trauma suffered by different groups of people in this country.

Coping mechanisms and “homemaking” in the face of environmental challenges: exploring the experiences of adolescent refugees in Jordan

ABSTRACT “: Home” is both a physical location and a space of important emotional and social attachments. Often associated with safety and familiarity, homes are also places where power inequalities may be reinforced. Contrary to human rights treaties stipulating the right of refugees to live in shelters that meet their basic needs, adolescent refugees in Jordan often reside in poor-quality housing within built environments that do not foster their wellbeing. Yet despite a burgeoning literature on refugee “homemaking”, little is known about how young refugees in Jordan perceive and respond to challenges in the built environment. This article addresses this knowledge gap, focusing on how gender norms are configured within “homemaking” practices. It draws on qualitative interviews with 31 adolescents in diverse locations: Syrians living in a formal refugee camp (Azraq), host communities, and informal tented settlements, and Palestinians without citizenship living in Jerash camp. Our findings show that refugee adolescents in Jordan face intersecting challenges, including poor access to services, inadequate housing infrastructure and sanitation, and safety concerns. These challenges vary based on location and are shaped by gender norms that influence access to spaces both inside and outside the household. Although adaptation methods can make homes more livable in terms of safety, aesthetics and practicality, these adaptations often reinforce gender norms that restrict girls’ mobility. This article concludes by underscoring that although refugees can make small changes to address immediate needs, structural responses which address gender inequalities and improve social protection support are essential to improving young refugees’ lives.

Fostering trust - a qualitative outcome study of psychodynamic group and individual psychotherapy for refugees with PTSD.

Background: Refugees and asylum-seekers have an elevated risk of mental health issues, such as depression and posttraumatic stress. Qualitative outcome studies can contribute by offering insight into patients' experiences of what they find beneficial and how they undergo the process of recovery. This study aligns with the small body of qualitative research focusing on refugees' perspectives of psychotherapeutic treatment for PTSD.Objective: This study investigates and compares the treatment experiences of refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in psychoanalytic group therapy (PAGT) and individual psychodynamic therapy (PDT) within an outpatient context in Sweden.Method: 10 former patients were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Data were analysed and interpreted according to the principles of grounded theory.Results: The findings reveal distinct categories for each treatment modality, being reborn for PDT and building a home for PAGT. Being reborn involved persistent intrapersonal change and lasting improvement in posttraumatic symptoms. Building a home involved a sense of belonging, support and temporary relief from posttraumatic symptoms. Participants from both treatment modalities underscored the significance of cultivating trust in therapeutic relationships.Conclusions: The study emphasises the necessity for tailored therapeutic approaches, contributing valuable insights to the limited research on effective mental health interventions for this population.

Disputed Boundaries of the Self, the Group, and their Environment: What We Learn from Refugees about our Psychic Functioning1.

One of Jung's most significant contributions concerns the mysterious, inexplicable and always out-of-reach nature of the self. In this paper, I will focus on the borders of the self and their nature, location and dynamics of maintenance and change in geographically, historically, and culturally situated subjects. Reflecting on the refugee experience, I intendto gain more insights into our psychic functioning and the dynamics of the self in relation to itself, the other and groups. The experiences of some refugees, marked bysignificant trauma and migration, shed light on how the boundaries of the self are frequently contested and perpetually negotiated with others, and how our subjectivity is shaped by ongoing dynamics of occupation, dispute and/or negotiation, conducted at various levels of our social and individual existence. My argument is that these processes occur at a specific site:the boundaries of the self, involving intrapsychic, interpersonal and group psychological dynamics, with reverberations in the socio-political and cultural spheres, and reciprocal influences between all these levels. This paper aims to concentrate on the shifts in these boundaries, illustrated through clinical vignettes.

Hidden emotional costs of home accommodation. The lived experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Polish homes

Hidden emotional costs of home accommodation. The lived experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Polish homes

‘Resettlement is worthwhile for our children’s future’: reflections from the Stateless Rohingya refugees in Malaysia

Resettlement to a third country offers a durable solution for refugees who cannot integrate into their asylum or transit countries. While most studies focus on the experiences of refugees after their arrival in resettlement countries or on the political aspects of resettlement, fewer studies explore refugees’ perspectives prior to resettlement. This paper examines how Rohingyas in Malaysia view their resettlement opportunities. We collected qualitative micronarratives from 56 adult Rohingyas living in Malaysia between March and September 2019, to explore the complexities of their decision-making processes. The findings indicate that most Rohingyas aspire to resettle in another country to gain legal status or citizenship, providing a better future for their children, including access to education and healthcare. However, preferences among Rohingyas vary: while some are eager to resettle, others express a strong desire to return to their home country in Myanmar. Still, others wish to reunite with family in Myanmar or Bangladesh, and a significant minority are reluctant to resettle in non-Islamic countries, reflecting broader concerns about cultural and religious compatibility. This study highlights the varied resettlement preferences among Rohingyas, underscoring the need for resettlement policies to consider these diverse priorities to enhance the effectiveness of resettlement programs.

Narrative Space and the Figure of the Refugee in the Early Life Writing of Ocean Vuong

ABSTRACT This paper will read for the representation of space in the Vietnamese American author Ocean Vuong’s narrative essay “The Weight of Our Living: On Hope, Fire Escapes, and Visible Desperation”. The paper places Vuong’s text into conversation with theorists of narrative and architectural spaces – Yi-Fu Tuan, Umberto Eco, and Mikhail Bakhtin, among others – and draws on critical refugee studies to explore the representation of spaces and places in their relationship to Vuong’s account of refugee experience and trauma. In the essay’s manipulations of narrative space, meditations on architectural space, and engagements with theories of trauma, a spatial understanding of trauma emerges and comes to bear on first wave literary trauma theory, which the essay builds on and departs from with the suggestion that architectural space functions semiotically and is a medium of language by which topics socially and psychologically repressed can be “spoken” despite social taboos and prohibitions. Working against public discourse which reduces refugees to victims of trauma (in their country of origin) and beneficiaries of social uplift (in their resettlement country), Vuong critiques the discursive framing of the refugee as needful ward and perpetual other and works toward a means of speaking about personal experience that speaks back to dominant narratives about refugees.