Public Health
Volume 158, 2018, Pages 149-155

‘Her cry is my cry’: resettlement experiences of refugee women at risk recently resettled in Australia (Article)

Vromans L.* , Schweitzer R.D. , Farrell L. , Correa-Velez I. , Brough M. , Murray K. , Lenette C.
  • a School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
  • b School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
  • c School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
  • d School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
  • e School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
  • f School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland 4059, Australia
  • g School of Social Sciences, University of New South Wales, Forced Migration Research Network@UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia

Abstract

Objectives: Refugee women entering resettlement countries on woman-at-risk visas represent a particularly vulnerable population. While their specific gender-based resettlement will likely differ from the general refugee population, little is known about their experiences of early resettlement, with which to inform resettlement policy and practice. This research aimed to explore lived experiences of recently resettled refugee women at risk in Australia. Study design: Qualitative research used focus groups and a framework approach to identify and explicate common themes in participants' experience. Methods: Two focus groups with a purposive sample of African and Afghan refugee women at risk (N = 10), aged 22–53 years, were conducted in South East Queensland, Australia (October 2016), recruited with the assistance of a local resettlement service. Discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and themes explicated. Results: Six superordinate themes emerged: (1) sentiment of gratitude; (2) sense of loneliness and disconnection; (3) feeling incapable; (4) experiencing distress and help-seeking; (5) experiencing financial hardship; and (6) anticipating the future. Conclusions: Findings indicate that resettlement policy, programs, and practice that explicitly target the needs of women-at-risk refugees are warranted, including a longer period of active service provision with specific attention to strategies that address the women's social connection, self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and financial hardships. © 2018 The Royal Society for Public Health

Author Keywords

qualitative Refugees resettlement Women

Index Keywords

information processing Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population personal experience Afghanistan refugee Australia health care policy human risk assessment Refugees middle aged financial deficit statistics and numerical data health service coping behavior resettlement policy Adaptation, Psychological African ethnology qualitative research Young Adult population risk womens status migrant psychology health program Humans Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Africa qualitative analysis self concept refugee camp Article help seeking behavior adult psychological well-being Queensland human settlement Afghan Focus Groups social behavior
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85045015997&doi=10.1016%2fj.puhe.2018.03.010&partnerID=40&md5=3620ae76499d12d2655561b29620bfea
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2018.03.010
ISSN: 00333506
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English