A house is not a home: Modeling the effects of social support and connection within resettled refugee populations

The Resettlement Journey: Understanding The Role of Social Connectedness on Well-being and Life Satisfaction among (Im)migrants and Refugees: A Systematic Review

In the context of rising global migration and/or forced displacement, there is a pressing need to consider the well-being and life satisfaction of (im)migrants and refugees during resettlement. Research highlights the importance of social connectedness for (im)migrants and refugees during the resettlement phase. Yet, a critical gap remains in our understanding of the key characteristics through which social connections exert their influence on well-being and life satisfaction. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing international literature on social connectedness and its impact on the well-being and life satisfaction of (im)migrants and refugees in post-migration contexts. Our analysis of 43 studies finds that social connectedness, in the form of social support and social networks, is beneficial for well-being and life satisfaction during resettlement. In addition to social support from individual network ties, community engagement can also enhance well-being by facilitating a sense of belonging. All 43 studies focused on psychological well-being and 69.8% relied on cross-sectional data. The findings of this review emphasise the need for longitudinal studies and standardised measurement tools to capture the dynamic interplay between social connectedness and well-being across various domains (psychological, physical, general/subjective) in migrant populations. We draw on the findings to propose a new conceptual model of the dynamic association between social connectedness and well-being/life satisfaction that seeks to explore these relationships in future empirical studies.

The Correlates of Collective and Individual Trauma on Mental Health Outcomes Among Afghan Refugees: A Study of Sociodemographic Differences

Following the U.S. military's departure from Afghanistan, a significant number of Afghan refugees have resettled in the United States, presenting complex mental health challenges exacerbated by extensive traumatic exposure. This demographic is particularly affected by collective trauma due to war, genocide, and the loss of homeland. However, detailed investigations into the correlations between collective trauma and mental health outcomes among Afghan refugees are limited. This study sought to explore the relationship between collective trauma and mental health outcomes within the Afghan refugee population in the United States, paying particular attention to the influence of sociodemographic factors. Identifying subgroups at greater risk allows for the development of more targeted mental health interventions. The study surveyed 173 Afghan refugees employing snowball sampling, utilizing a cross-sectional design. Data collection was facilitated through online and in-person surveys in English, Dari, and Pashto. Key measures included the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire for individual trauma experiences, the Historical Loss Scale for collective trauma, the Historical Loss Associated Symptoms Scale for collective trauma symptoms, the Afghan Symptom Checklist-22 for mental health symptoms, and the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Scale for post-migration stressors. Statistical analyses involved Pearson's correlation for variable associations, with nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests conducted to assess sociodemographic impacts due to data's non-normal distribution. The analysis revealed significant variations in collective trauma and mental health outcomes across subgroups. Afghan women, minoritized ethnic groups, those who experienced extended displacement, and refugees with uncertain visa statuses reported higher collective trauma levels and worse mental health outcomes. Statistical significance was noted in the correlations between collective trauma and mental health symptoms (r = .53, p < .01) and between post-migration difficulties and mental health (r = .33, p < .01). The disparities in mental health outcomes based on sociodemographic characteristics were significant, with nonparametric tests showing clear distinctions across different groups (Kruskal-Wallis H = 14.76, p < .05 for trauma experience by visa status). This study emphasizes the critical need for mental health interventions that account for the complex experiences of collective trauma among Afghan refugees, especially among identified subgroups. Tailoring mental health services to address the specific needs highlighted through disaggregated data can enhance support for Afghan refugees in the United States. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between collective trauma and refugee mental health, advocating for nuanced care strategies in resettlement environments.

Promoting the health of refugee women: a scoping literature review incorporating the social ecological model

The health of refugee women after settlement in a new country, can be adversely or positively affected by individual, interpersonal, community, and organizational factors. While much of the previous literature highlights these factors individually, there is a lack of comprehensive synthesis regarding how the factors interact to influence the health of refugee women. We conducted a thematic analysis in our literature review to elucidate how providers can work with refugee women to prevent adverse health outcomes and intervene at multiple levels to improve their health outcomes after resettlement. We reviewed peer-reviewed literature from 2009 to 2019 from Google Scholar, JSTOR, Global Health, PubMed, CINAHL, Sociological Abstracts, and Social Service Abstracts, and also used citation chaining, to identify relevant information pertaining to refugee women's health. The key terms used for our literature review were, health care, violence, social support, and mental health. In total, we included 52 articles, 3 books, and 8 other sources. We found that refugee women are vulnerable to violence during migration and typically have high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder. There were also concerns of secondary victimization by providers after resettlement. We also found that social support is an important factor for reducing isolation, and improving access to health care, as well as improving mental health outcomes. However, social support was often difficult to maintain, and was moderated by factors such as English language fluency. Health care was influenced by health literacy, cultural difference, communication concerns, and access issues. The findings suggest that at the individual and interpersonal levels there is a need to address language barriers, improve provider-patient communication, and provide appropriate medical and mental health screenings. At the organizational level, inter-organizational communication and awareness are vital. At the community level, providers can work with community leaders, to educate, create dialogue and collaboration, to help facilitate understanding and bolster community social support. Improved communication and knowledge about the unique needs and concerns of refugee women through an integrated, multi-system approach is necessary to improve their health outcomes.

The moderating effect of gender as a protective factor against discrimination in migrants from Latin America and China

This study analysed the association between discrimination and satisfaction with life (SWL) in migrant groups by investigating whether different types of social support (SS; emotional, instrumental, and informational) and networks (family, immigrant and native friends, neighbours, and the community) buffer the negative effects of discrimination on SWL among migrant men and women from different backgrounds. Participants were 631 migrants from Latin America and China residing in Malaga (Spain). We identified behaviour patterns that suggest that SS has different effects on men and women from the same place of origin and similar effects on women and men from different places of origin. In conclusion, the main differences in the effects of SS as a buffer mechanism are not determined by cultural factors. It is more likely that they are determined by differential gender-role socialization, which would lead women to positively value social support.