Community Development Journal, 43(4), October 2008, pp.483-495.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
... of privileging emic perspectives (the insider perspectives of Sudanese refugees in contrast to etic or outsider professional perspectives), using a dialogical method (the creation of a safe space to make sense of the new settlement context), taking an elicitive stance (whereby the community development worker orients themselves towards facilitation and discovery) and focusing on the resources of culture,
This article presents an approach to community development when working with refugee groups within a resettlement context. The approach parallels an elicitive research initiative within the cities of Brisbane and Logan, Australia in response to Sudanese accusations of neo-colonial methods of ‘service delivery’ and from two challenges posited from an analysis of the literature. The dimensions of privileging emic perspectives (the insider perspectives of Sudanese refugees in contrast to etic or outsider professional perspectives), using a dialogical method (the creation of a safe space to make sense of the new settlement context), taking an elicitive stance (whereby the community development worker orients themselves towards facilitation and discovery) and focusing on the resources of culture, community and power are outlined.
Subject terms:
refugees, user participation, community development, cultural identity;
VOULGARIDOU Maria G., PAPADOPOULOS Renos K., TOMARAS Vlassis
Journal article citation:
Journal of Family Therapy, 28(2), May 2006, pp.200-220.
Publisher:
Wiley
... on narrative perspectives and inspired by Pike's '-emic and -etic' distinction. It discusses the innovative methods developed by the therapeutic team of the Greek Council for Refugees which included the use of 'cultural therapeutic mediators' and others in an endeavour to access the overlapping systems of refugee families in more effective ways.
When refugee families leave their country of origin, they may also leave behind their culture and support systems but not their abilities to overcome the emerging adversities. This article addresses issues concerning the process of refugee families' 'acculturation' and adaptation to their new setting in Greek society. It attempts to develop culture-sensitive approaches to family therapy based on narrative perspectives and inspired by Pike's '-emic and -etic' distinction. It discusses the innovative methods developed by the therapeutic team of the Greek Council for Refugees which included the use of 'cultural therapeutic mediators' and others in an endeavour to access the overlapping systems of refugee families in more effective ways.
Britain has always been a multicultural country, but this is perhaps more evident now than at any time in its history. The country contains many conflicting traditions and is differentiated by gender, class, region and religion as well as by culture, ethnicity and race. Explains what this means for refugee committees.
Britain has always been a multicultural country, but this is perhaps more evident now than at any time in its history. The country contains many conflicting traditions and is differentiated by gender, class, region and religion as well as by culture, ethnicity and race. Explains what this means for refugee committees.
Subject terms:
refugees, communities, cultural identity, ethnicity;
Provides a brief outline of the position of refugees in the Netherlands and of the background to their problems. Describes some of the problems that carers experience in their work with refugees and elaborates on some theoretical considerations which offer a basis for work across cultural boundaries. Concludes by offering some guidelines for working with refugees.
Provides a brief outline of the position of refugees in the Netherlands and of the background to their problems. Describes some of the problems that carers experience in their work with refugees and elaborates on some theoretical considerations which offer a basis for work across cultural boundaries. Concludes by offering some guidelines for working with refugees.
Subject terms:
multicultural approach, refugees, social work methods, cultural identity;
Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 29(1-3), 2020, pp.23-42.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Resettled refugees face pressure to integrate successfully into the culture of their resettlement country within a relatively short period of time. Though successful integration is important, research has shown that ethnic identity and participation in the ethnic culture of origin play a key role in supporting the mental health of resettled refugees. This paper presents a model that draws
(Publisher abstract)
Resettled refugees face pressure to integrate successfully into the culture of their resettlement country within a relatively short period of time. Though successful integration is important, research has shown that ethnic identity and participation in the ethnic culture of origin play a key role in supporting the mental health of resettled refugees. This paper presents a model that draws on social-cognitive theory, trauma theory, and models of second culture acquisition to reflect relationships between trauma, mental health, and self-efficacy. The model presents the concept of bicultural self-efficacy as a potential outcome measure for facilitating inter-disciplinary research and practice efforts.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, cultural identity, traumas, safety, wellbeing;
International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 15(2), 2019, pp.133-149.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review all the research on Somali refugee communities’ “explanatory models” of “mental health” or psychological suffering, and also report original research in order to allow for more contexts on their “mental health” terms to emerge. Design/methodology/approach: The authors talked in a conversational manner with a small number (11) of Somali people (10 females and 1 male), but this was done intensively over time and on multiple occasions. They discussed their community terms for “mental health” issues but in their own contexts and with their own examples. Findings: The results showed that Somali as a community had three main groupings of symptoms: Jinn or spirit possession; waali or “craziness”; and a group of terms for serious anxieties, rumination, worrying and thinking too much. What was new from their broader descriptions of context was that the community discourses were based on particular contexts of the person and their behaviour within their life history, rather than aiming to universal categories like the DSM. Practical implications: Both research and practice on mental health should focus less on universal diagnoses and more on describing the contexts in which the symptoms emerge and how to change those contexts, especially with refugee and other less well-understood groups.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to review all the research on Somali refugee communities’ “explanatory models” of “mental health” or psychological suffering, and also report original research in order to allow for more contexts on their “mental health” terms to emerge. Design/methodology/approach: The authors talked in a conversational manner with a small number (11) of Somali people (10 females and 1 male), but this was done intensively over time and on multiple occasions. They discussed their community terms for “mental health” issues but in their own contexts and with their own examples. Findings: The results showed that Somali as a community had three main groupings of symptoms: Jinn or spirit possession; waali or “craziness”; and a group of terms for serious anxieties, rumination, worrying and thinking too much. What was new from their broader descriptions of context was that the community discourses were based on particular contexts of the person and their behaviour within their life history, rather than aiming to universal categories like the DSM. Practical implications: Both research and practice on mental health should focus less on universal diagnoses and more on describing the contexts in which the symptoms emerge and how to change those contexts, especially with refugee and other less well-understood groups.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health problems, attitudes, cultural identity, refugees, black and minority ethnic people;
Health and Social Care in the Community, 24(5), 2016, pp.649-656.
Publisher:
Wiley
Interpreters, whether in person or via telephonic means, are used in healthcare settings to aid communication between clinicians and clients when the same language is not shared. Refugees seeking health and behavioural healthcare often have multiple needs and experiences of trauma that can complicate the provision of services. Little is known about the interpreters' experiences in providing in-person and telephonic interpreting for refugees. This qualitative study sought to understand the subjective experiences of interpreters in providing in-person and telephone interpretations to refugees in healthcare settings in the United States. Constant comparative analysis was used to analyse the transcribed, audio-taped individual, semi-structured interviews of 36 interpreters. These interviews were conducted between July 2013 and July 2014. Two themes were identified: (i) the importance for the interpreter to develop trust with the client; and (ii) working with refugees requires more attention from the interpreter. The interpreters of this study describe experiencing additional challenges in working with refugees versus other clients. Recommendations based on the findings are made.
(Publisher abstract)
Interpreters, whether in person or via telephonic means, are used in healthcare settings to aid communication between clinicians and clients when the same language is not shared. Refugees seeking health and behavioural healthcare often have multiple needs and experiences of trauma that can complicate the provision of services. Little is known about the interpreters' experiences in providing in-person and telephonic interpreting for refugees. This qualitative study sought to understand the subjective experiences of interpreters in providing in-person and telephone interpretations to refugees in healthcare settings in the United States. Constant comparative analysis was used to analyse the transcribed, audio-taped individual, semi-structured interviews of 36 interpreters. These interviews were conducted between July 2013 and July 2014. Two themes were identified: (i) the importance for the interpreter to develop trust with the client; and (ii) working with refugees requires more attention from the interpreter. The interpreters of this study describe experiencing additional challenges in working with refugees versus other clients. Recommendations based on the findings are made.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, interpreting, staff-user relationships, health care, cultural identity;
Research looking at the major themes in the lives of Somali refugee families found parents were concerned about losing their children to the new culture that they have moved into. Strategies parents adopted to prevent this included: holding high educational values and aspirations for their children; reaffirming their Islamic faith and tradition; and adopting 'transnationalism' by sending children 'home' for some of their education.
Research looking at the major themes in the lives of Somali refugee families found parents were concerned about losing their children to the new culture that they have moved into. Strategies parents adopted to prevent this included: holding high educational values and aspirations for their children; reaffirming their Islamic faith and tradition; and adopting 'transnationalism' by sending children 'home' for some of their education.
Subject terms:
parental attitudes, refugees, children, cultural identity, education;
Mental Health Religion and Culture, 14(5-6), June 2011, pp.575-587.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
... every aspect of their life and culture. This study investigated the role of cultural resources in promoting positive coping behaviour among Tibetan refugees. Participants included 8 male and 4 female Tibetan refugees from Dharmashala in the state of Himachal Pradesh, coming from diverse backgrounds including students, businessmen, activists, and ex-prisoners. Analysis of the narratives explored
Tibetan refugee communities in India have been seen to adapt well to their situation, and managed to preserve their cultural identity whilst in exile. They have been cited as positive models of successful coping with refugee life. Tibet is renowned for its culture and traditions. The unique feature of this culture is the devotion towards Buddhism which has exerted a strong influence in almost every aspect of their life and culture. This study investigated the role of cultural resources in promoting positive coping behaviour among Tibetan refugees. Participants included 8 male and 4 female Tibetan refugees from Dharmashala in the state of Himachal Pradesh, coming from diverse backgrounds including students, businessmen, activists, and ex-prisoners. Analysis of the narratives explored various cultural factors promoting healthy coping. Findings revealed themes related to the cultural resources promoting healthy coping including the protective hand of Dalai Lama, Buddhist philosophy and practices, community bonding and support, and historical exemplars of strength and resiliency. Implications for other communities are discussed.
Subject terms:
refugees, traumas, Buddhism, coping behaviour, cultural identity;