International Social Work, 59(6), 2016, pp.904-914.
Publisher:
Sage
This study found that social service agents who worked with refugees and were exposed to group dynamics over long periods observed varying levels of tension between exiled compatriots as well as limits to their relations. Consequently, most of them tried to work with mixed rather than homogeneous groups whenever possible. Most of the agents seemed to favour neutrality, at least in appearances,
(Edited publisher abstract)
This study found that social service agents who worked with refugees and were exposed to group dynamics over long periods observed varying levels of tension between exiled compatriots as well as limits to their relations. Consequently, most of them tried to work with mixed rather than homogeneous groups whenever possible. Most of the agents seemed to favour neutrality, at least in appearances, with respect to factors that could cause divisions within a group. By contrast, others would forego the neutral ideal and would not hesitate to harness the mobilizing potential of certain affinities among specific sub-groups within larger groups of compatriots.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social services, refugees, intervention, violence, interpersonal relationships;
International Social Work, 54(4), July 2011, pp.521-534.
Publisher:
Sage
The Iraqi refugee population in Jordan is estimated to range from 500,000 to 750,000. They are part of a group referred to as urban refugees, as they are not confined to camps but living within the walls of cities. Their situation risks becoming protracted and they have little hope of returning to Iraq or permanently integrating into Jordan. This article presents findings of a survey conducted by social workers working at the Community Development Centre of Sweileh (CDC-Sweileh) with Iraqi refugees. Field visits were conducted by the social workers with 100 families living in Amman, Jordon. The families were asked about their social and economic situation, health, education, and problems relating to infrastructure. The aim of the survey was to identify key problem areas requiring immediate intervention on the part of social workers. This article presents the main problems as identified by these Iraqi families, programmes that were proposed to meet their needs, as well as challenges presented by these. The article concludes with a discussion of intervention issues for refugees in protracted situations, and questions for future research.
The Iraqi refugee population in Jordan is estimated to range from 500,000 to 750,000. They are part of a group referred to as urban refugees, as they are not confined to camps but living within the walls of cities. Their situation risks becoming protracted and they have little hope of returning to Iraq or permanently integrating into Jordan. This article presents findings of a survey conducted by social workers working at the Community Development Centre of Sweileh (CDC-Sweileh) with Iraqi refugees. Field visits were conducted by the social workers with 100 families living in Amman, Jordon. The families were asked about their social and economic situation, health, education, and problems relating to infrastructure. The aim of the survey was to identify key problem areas requiring immediate intervention on the part of social workers. This article presents the main problems as identified by these Iraqi families, programmes that were proposed to meet their needs, as well as challenges presented by these. The article concludes with a discussion of intervention issues for refugees in protracted situations, and questions for future research.
Subject terms:
intervention, needs, refugees, social work, social workers;
Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 5(2), 2021, pp.331-347.
Publisher:
Policy Press
Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is the leading type of violence experienced by women in many parts of the world, limited research with mixed findings exists on IPV intervention programming for immigrants and visible minority subgroups. Changing Behaviors is an eight-week IPV intervention programme targeting immigrants, refugees and visible minority clientele in British Columbia, Canada.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Although intimate partner violence (IPV) is the leading type of violence experienced by women in many parts of the world, limited research with mixed findings exists on IPV intervention programming for immigrants and visible minority subgroups. Changing Behaviors is an eight-week IPV intervention programme targeting immigrants, refugees and visible minority clientele in British Columbia, Canada. This pilot study provides a preliminary examination of programme impacts, using a mixed methods pre-test/post-test design. Fourteen participants completed the psychological and physical abuse subscales of the Abusive Behavior Inventory (Shepard and Campbell, 1992), and 11 participants answered open-ended questions concerning knowledge and skills learned in the programme. Participation in Changing Behaviors resulted in marginally significant decreases in psychologically abusive behaviours, but no change in physical abuse or gains in knowledge and skills concerning anger reduction or healthy emotional expression. Future attainment of gains in skills and reductions in abuse may be more successful through incorporating additional culturally enhanced components into the programme curriculum, as well as adding evidence-based practices from the IPV intervention literature.
(Edited publisher abstract)
British Journal of Social Work, 51(3), 2021, pp.964-981.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
As the number of refugees worldwide reaches unprecedented levels, social workers’ ability to provide effective and appropriate mental healthcare to this population is as critical as ever. This article provides a review of contemporary debates revolving around the cultural adaptation (CA) of mental health interventions—when it is warranted, what approach should be taken and what components
(Edited publisher abstract)
As the number of refugees worldwide reaches unprecedented levels, social workers’ ability to provide effective and appropriate mental healthcare to this population is as critical as ever. This article provides a review of contemporary debates revolving around the cultural adaptation (CA) of mental health interventions—when it is warranted, what approach should be taken and what components of an intervention should be adapted. CA is presented as a promising and pragmatic approach to service delivery, one that can assist clinical social workers in designing and implementing interventions that reflect refugees’ local needs and knowledge without neglecting important advances in research evidence and clinical expertise. However, it is not without its challenges. By drawing on literature related to the integration of cultural and contextual factors in mental health interventions and services, the article addresses critical issues in the CA approach and asks: is it possible to strike a balance between fidelity to evidence-based interventions and culturally compatible care?
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, mental health services, evidence-based practice, intervention, cultural identity, multicultural approach;
Research on Social Work Practice, 31(1), 2021, pp.14-25.
Publisher:
Sage
Purpose: Forced displacement may increase the risk of child maltreatment and mental health problems among children and caregivers. This study assessed the acceptability and preliminary outcomes of a parenting intervention to prevent child maltreatment and improve parental and child mental health among Syrian refugees in Lebanon.Method:292 parents and 88 children participated in a structured
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: Forced displacement may increase the risk of child maltreatment and mental health problems among children and caregivers. This study assessed the acceptability and preliminary outcomes of a parenting intervention to prevent child maltreatment and improve parental and child mental health among Syrian refugees in Lebanon.Method:292 parents and 88 children participated in a structured assessment before and after a group-based parenting intervention implemented by an international nongovernmental organization serving refugee and vulnerable Lebanese communities. Results: Paired sample t tests showed significant reductions in harsh punishment and rejecting parenting behavior and significant improvements in measures of parental and child mental health from pre- to postintervention. On average, parents completed 7.7 of 10 sessions. Discussion: Preliminary results suggest that the parenting intervention was acceptable to refugee parents and may show promise in reducing child maltreatment and improving parental and child mental health in a humanitarian setting.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Research on Social Work Practice, 29(8), 2019, pp.847-862.
Publisher:
Sage
Purpose: The global forced migration crisis calls for responsive, research-supported social services. This systematic review examines available research on social service programs implemented with refugees worldwide. Methods: Through accessing academic databases, reviewing article reference lists and websites, and contacting experts, we identified 1,402 sources, 68 of which met review inclusion the theory underlying the intervention was not specified (n = 41). Discussion: Additional research is needed to better understand social service programming with refugees, particularly in understudied contexts.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: The global forced migration crisis calls for responsive, research-supported social services. This systematic review examines available research on social service programs implemented with refugees worldwide. Methods: Through accessing academic databases, reviewing article reference lists and websites, and contacting experts, we identified 1,402 sources, 68 of which met review inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Results: Studies were conducted primarily in high-income countries (n = 57). Programs examined were related to general adaptation (n = 13), relationships (n = 20), financial and employment support (n = 15), or a specific area such as sport or gardening (n = 20). Few studies used pre–post (n = 6) or experimental designs (n = 1), and in a majority of studies, the theory underlying the intervention was not specified (n = 41). Discussion: Additional research is needed to better understand social service programming with refugees, particularly in understudied contexts.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
systematic reviews, service provision, refugees, casework, social services, migration, intervention;
Children and Youth Services Review, 85, 2018, pp.228-238.
Publisher:
Elsevier
As the number of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes and country of origin has increased rapidly in recent years, the need to understand how best to support such individuals, especially the youngest of them, becomes pressing. This study presents findings from interviews with adults who had arrived as asylum-seekers in one of two countries, Denmark or England, when they were children. Qualitative findings based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analyses demonstrate the participants' focus on Language-based challenges that extend to further difficulties, Choosing to succeed, Gaining strength through social support, encouragement and guidance, Integrating two separate worlds into one and Seeing, hearing and understanding children's needs. The participants have had time to reflect on their early experiences of integration, and their voices can inform researchers, educators and other practitioners currently working with refugee children and families.
(Publisher abstract)
As the number of individuals who have been forced to flee their homes and country of origin has increased rapidly in recent years, the need to understand how best to support such individuals, especially the youngest of them, becomes pressing. This study presents findings from interviews with adults who had arrived as asylum-seekers in one of two countries, Denmark or England, when they were children. Qualitative findings based on Interpretative Phenomenological Analyses demonstrate the participants' focus on Language-based challenges that extend to further difficulties, Choosing to succeed, Gaining strength through social support, encouragement and guidance, Integrating two separate worlds into one and Seeing, hearing and understanding children's needs. The participants have had time to reflect on their early experiences of integration, and their voices can inform researchers, educators and other practitioners currently working with refugee children and families.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, children, education, intervention, policy formulation, user views, asylum seekers;
Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 13(1), 2018, pp.7-18.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Turkey is the top refugee-hosting country in the world, with more than three million registered Syrian refugees. An international research team was the first to document the educational and mental health needs of Syrian refugee children, finding that an overwhelming majority are not enrolled in school in Turkey, partly as a result of language barriers, and that about half suffer from
(Publisher abstract)
Turkey is the top refugee-hosting country in the world, with more than three million registered Syrian refugees. An international research team was the first to document the educational and mental health needs of Syrian refugee children, finding that an overwhelming majority are not enrolled in school in Turkey, partly as a result of language barriers, and that about half suffer from Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or depression. The present study was designed as an innovative intervention using an online, game-based learning intervention for refugee children, named Project Hope. Data gathered from a controlled field experiment show significant improvements in Turkish language acquisition, coding, executive functioning and overall sense of hopefulness. Implications for policy, practice and research are discussed.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, children, mental health, games, digital technology, intervention, education;
MITSCHKE Diane B., PRAETORIUS Regina T., KELLY Don R.
Journal article citation:
International Social Work, 60(3), 2017, pp.588-600.
Publisher:
Sage
Understanding the dynamics of mental health of recently resettled refugees is an essential component of any comprehensive resettlement programme, yet establishing the components of a successful and acceptable mental health intervention is an elusive task. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 resettled refugees from five countries who had received treatment for depression,
(Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding the dynamics of mental health of recently resettled refugees is an essential component of any comprehensive resettlement programme, yet establishing the components of a successful and acceptable mental health intervention is an elusive task. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 resettled refugees from five countries who had received treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, or anxiety. Themes generated from the interviews emphasised the need for strong group-based social support as well as a focus on practical needs such as acquiring and maintaining employment, language and literacy training, and access to care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, mental health problems, intervention, treatment, black and minority ethnic people, needs, service provision;
International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 18(2), 2016, pp.106-125.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
There is existing evidence that suggests that refugees’ mental health is often impaired by pre-migratory stress, by their experience of being asylum seekers and also by their resettlement adversities; however, little is known about the specific mental health issues of male refugees. The current research is set in this context and it aims to explore multiple levels of stress that male refugees experience after they have been granted Leave to Remain (refugee status) in the U.K. A total of nine male refugees took part in the study; they were interviewed individually and the interview transcripts were analysed by the use of Thematic Analysis. The overall findings indicated that being granted Leave to Remain worsened participants’ mental health, as they had to face new challenges such as seeking
(Edited publisher abstract)
There is existing evidence that suggests that refugees’ mental health is often impaired by pre-migratory stress, by their experience of being asylum seekers and also by their resettlement adversities; however, little is known about the specific mental health issues of male refugees. The current research is set in this context and it aims to explore multiple levels of stress that male refugees experience after they have been granted Leave to Remain (refugee status) in the U.K. A total of nine male refugees took part in the study; they were interviewed individually and the interview transcripts were analysed by the use of Thematic Analysis. The overall findings indicated that being granted Leave to Remain worsened participants’ mental health, as they had to face new challenges such as seeking employment and accommodation, as well as their general struggle to settle in the U.K. Participants indicated that the type of support available to them was quite poor. These findings are relevant in order to support specific intervention strategies to promote male refugees’ mental health.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, mental health, health education, men, intervention, asylum seekers, empowerment;