Summary: 
The resettlement experiences of parents who migrate as refugees is an area that is under-researched even though evidence shows that they are at increased risk for poor mental health.

This study examined: 

• refugee parents’ experiences of resettlement stressors and mental health
• perceived impacts of resettlement stressors on individual and family indicators of well-being; 
• refugee parents’ coping strategies and resources.
  
  The study draws on data from a mixed methods survey conducted in 2021 with 40 Government-Assisted Refugee parents who resettled to Hamilton, Ontario within the past 4 years. Thirty three participants were Syrians, four Iraqis and three Sudanese.

Findings: 

1. High levels of resettlement stressors across various aspects of life: Highly endorsed resettlement stressors were: concerns for safety and well-being of family outside Canada, family reunification, housing and repaying government immigration loans. Employment, access to healthcare and childcare, language barriers and food insecurity also were identified as “somewhat” or “big problems”
2. Parental distress compounded by intersecting stressors and risk factors: Most attributed their distress to current resettlement-related stressors with only a few mentioning ongoing psychological impacts of past exposure to war. The stressors mentioned above were having an intersecting and compounding effect on their mental health. This was more pronounced for single parents and those who were separated from family members, for whom lack of social support further increased their sense of isolation and helplessness.
3. Ways of coping and family social support as a source of resilience: Despite overall high levels of resettlement stressors and psychological distress, 55% of parents reported that they were coping “well” and 30% reported that they were coping “very well.” Coping strategies included support seeking, problem solving, religion, positive reframing, staying positive, and hopes and support from service providers.
4. Positive parent-child relationship: Most parents described family relationships and interactions being characterized by mutual respect and understanding, emotional support, patience, positive communication and conflict resolution, and a sense of friendship between parents and children.

How does this research apply to my work? 

• Service providers instrumental and emotional support can have a positive impact on parents and their children.
• Harness family resources to help parents overcome past and present challenges. Some parents specifically noted that emotional support from family members was an important source of resilience that enabled them to cope with daily adversity.
• Programs should include culturally responsive and family-based models of mental health care that acknowledge collective experiences and impacts of adversity.

What should I take away from this research? 
The authors highlighted that family social support has consistently emerged as an important source of strength and resilience across studies with diverse refugee populations in different resettlement contexts. Qualitative research found that family social support, sense of belonging in the family, family centrality, and ethnic community as an extension of the family played an integral role in coping with resettlement stressors and fostering positive adjustment.

These findings supporting the vital role of the family in influencing mental health, coping, and adjustment are consistent with a family systems perspective, which views the family as a dynamic system that is both impacted by stressful social contexts as well as a potential source of resilience.

Read the full article here