International Social Work
Volume 59, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 875-889

Unsettled integration: Pre- and post-migration factors in Congolese refugee women’s resettlement experiences in the United States (Article)

Wachter K.* , Heffron L.C. , Snyder S. , Nsonwu M.B. , Busch-Armendariz N.B.
  • a The University of Texas at Austin, United States
  • b The University of Texas at Austin, United States
  • c Ripon College, Cuddesdon, United Kingdom
  • d North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, United States
  • e The University of Texas at Austin, United States

Abstract

By 2019, the United States plans to resettle approximately 50,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The purpose of this study was to identify and understand the challenges, risks, and strengths of adult Congolese refugee women resettled in the United States to help policymakers, service providers, and other stakeholders prepare for the arrival of Congolese women and their families. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews and focus groups with Congolese refugee women (n = 28) and resettlement service providers (n = 29) in three US cities. The findings of this study reveal the complex and dynamic nature of Congolese refugee women’s resettlement experiences in the United States and highlight the importance of recognizing the intersection of pre- and post-migration factors during resettlement. This article offers concrete implications for the social work profession and practitioners. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015.

Author Keywords

Forced migration Congolese Pre-migration Forced displacement Post-migration refugee resettlement Refugee women Democratic Republic of the Congo

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84994106546&doi=10.1177%2f0020872815580049&partnerID=40&md5=79cb2dd928388a8d696ada0987e33d0a
DOI: 10.1177/0020872815580049
ISSN: 00208728
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English