Journal of Refugee Studies
Volume 20, Issue 3, 2007, Pages 414-440

Meaning or measurement? Researching the social contexts of health and settlement among newly-arrived refugee youth in Melbourne, Australia (Article)

Gifford S.M.* , Bakopanos C. , Kaplan I. , Correa-VVelez I.
  • a Refugee Health Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
  • b Refugee Health Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
  • c Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • d Refugee Health Research Centre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia

Abstract

What are the most appropriate methodological approaches for researching the psychosocial determinants of health and wellbeing among young people from refugee backgrounds over the resettlement period? What kinds of research models can involve young people in meaningful reflections on their lives and futures while simultaneously yielding valid data to inform services and policy? This paper reports on the methods developed for a longitudinal study of health and wellbeing among young people from refugee backgrounds in Melbourne, Australia. The study involves 100 newly-arrived young people 12 to 18 years of age, and employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods implemented as a series of activities carried out by participants in personalized settlement journals. This paper highlights the need to think outside the box of traditional qualitative and/or quantitative approaches for social research into refugee youth health and illustrates how integrated approaches can produce information that is meaningful to policy makers, service providers and to the young people themselves. © The Author [2007]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Settlement refugee adolescents health and wellbeing research methods

Index Keywords

Melbourne Victoria [Australia] resettlement policy young population health geography refugee Australia policy strategy Australasia service provision
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-35348960539&doi=10.1093%2fjrs%2ffem004&partnerID=40&md5=ed77311b9eeafe7dddfd7a9ba51618f5
DOI: 10.1093/jrs/fem004
ISSN: 09516328
Cited by: 53
Original Language: English