Qualitative Health Research
Volume 25, Issue 10, 2015, Pages 1319-1333

Refugees, post-migration stress, and internet use: A Qualitative analysis of intercultural adjustment and internet use among iraqi and sudanese refugees to the United States (Article)

Mikal J.P.* , Woodfield B.
  • a University of Utah, Orson Spencer Hall, 260 S. Central Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States
  • b University of Utah, Orson Spencer Hall, 260 S. Central Campus Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84112, United States

Abstract

Post-migration stressors represent significant obstacle to refugee adjustment, and continued exposure to post-migration stressors can negatively affect mental and physical health. Communities of support maintained over the Internet may provide a sense of constancy and reliability that may insulate against the negative effects of stress. We conducted five focus group interviews with Iraqi and Sudanese refugees to understand how refugees use the Internet to access support in their daily lives. Four trends were observed: (a) Internet use was related to culture of origin, (b) refugees were reluctant to explore online, (c) children served as brokers of online knowledge, and (d) limited Internet access is associated with increased time and financial obligations. This study aims to contribute to theory on Internet-mediated social support and to refugee health by creating smoother pathways to self-sufficiency and allowing refugees to exhibit agency in constructing and maintaining online networks of support. © 2015 SAGE Publications.

Author Keywords

Sudan Social support adaptation, coping, enduring Iraq communication Refugees Internet Well-being qualitative

Index Keywords

information processing Communication Barriers refugee human epidemiology Refugees middle aged communication disorder Iraq social support Internet language ethnology Intergenerational Relations qualitative research human relation United States Humans psychology male Acculturation female reproducibility Reproducibility of Results cultural factor adult utilization Focus Groups Sudan

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84941219043&doi=10.1177%2f1049732315601089&partnerID=40&md5=46bcbbbaad5c70d541953d3dacaeb628

DOI: 10.1177/1049732315601089
ISSN: 10497323
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English