Journal of Refugee Studies
Volume 30, Issue 1, 2017, Pages 106-132

Developing and validating the refugee integration scale in Nairobi, Kenya (Article) (Open Access)

Beversluis D. , Schoeller-Diaz D. , Anderson M. , Anderson N. , Slaughter A. , Patel R.B.*
  • a Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • b The Fletcher School, Tufts University, Boston, MA, United States
  • c RefugePoint, CambridgeMA, United States
  • d RefugePoint, CambridgeMA, United States
  • e RefugePoint, CambridgeMA, United States
  • f Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States

Abstract

The humanitarian trend of protracted refugee situations and urban displacement are driving de facto integration of urban refugees in host countries. Facilitating this process through local programmes and policies is an important long-term solution for urban refugees that can no longer be ignored. Tools to measure refugee integration are required to conduct research and to guide programmes and policy. This study describes the development and validation of a 25-item Refugee Integration Scale (RIS) using standard scale development methodology among Somali and Banyamulenge refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. We report mixedmethodology methods to strengthen the scale's validity and reliability. These include a literature review and a qualitative focus group component among refugees in Nairobi to establish a theoretical construct for urban refugee integration. The scale was then piloted and refined through a quasi-randomized survey of 331 refugees in Nairobi. Reliability was established as Cronbach's alpha 0.861 indicating high internal consistency. The RIS is a continuing step towards better understanding and measuring urban refugee integration, and will help to guide policies and programmes for this vulnerable population. © The Author 2016.

Author Keywords

Protracted refugee Integration measure Local integration Urban

Index Keywords

immigration policy displacement literature review urban area refugee Kenya qualitative analysis Nairobi [Nairobi (CNT)] Nairobi [Kenya] immigrant population
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85017214833&doi=10.1093%2fjrs%2ffew018&partnerID=40&md5=fbee57bf2a21a0dc71a89f050b5191ec
DOI: 10.1093/jrs/few018
ISSN: 09516328
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English