A Phenomenological Study on the Experience of Syrian Asylum-Seekers and Refugees in the United States.

Violence in Syria has displaced an unprecedented number of people from their homes. While couple/family therapy (C/MFT) scholars have explored migration experiences, particularly among refugees, there is still limited research using a bioecological framework. This exploratory study examined the experiences of Syrian asylum-seekers and refugees living in the United States using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Twelve Syrians (n = 8 men, n = 4 women) between 20 and 52 years of age (M = 35.8, SD = 10.7) were interviewed about their experiences across three stages of resettlement: (1) pre-resettlement, (2) resettlement/migration, and (3) post-resettlement. Findings suggest that the effects of conflict-induced displacement and resettlement permeate across multiple ecologies. These range from the individual and his or her interpersonal relationships to their larger community and society. C/MFTs should account for contextual factors while becoming familiar with the sociopolitical impact of displacement and resettlement in their clinical work with this population.

La violencia en Siria ha desplazado a un número de personas sin precedentes de sus hogares. Si bien los especialistas en terapia de pareja, conyugal y familiar han analizado las experiencias de migración; particularmente entre los refugiados, aun hay escasas investigaciones que usan un marco bioecológico. Este estudio exploratorio analizó las experiencias de los solicitantes de asilo y los refugiados sirios que viven en Estados Unidos utilizando un enfoque fenomenológico cualitativo. Se entrevistó a doce sirios (n = 8 hombres, n = 4 mujeres) de entre 20 y 52 años (M = 35.8, SD = 10.7) con respecto a sus experiencias en tres etapas del reasentamiento: (1) prereasentamiento, (2) reasentamiento/migración, y (3) posreasentamiento. Los resultados sugieren que los efectos del desplazamiento inducido por el conflicto, junto con el reasentamiento, penetran en las ecologías. Estos pueden variar desde la persona y sus relaciones interpersonales hasta su comunidad y sociedad más amplias. Por lo tanto, la terapia de pareja, conyugal y familiar debería justificar los factores contextuales y a la vez familiarizarse con el efecto sociopolítico del desplazamiento y el reasentamiento en su trabajo clínico con esta población.

Refugees, resettlement experiences and mental health: a systematic review of case studies / Refugiados, experiências de reassentamento e saúde mental: uma revisão sistemática de estudos de caso

ABSTRACT Objective In 2017 the number of refugees around the world reached 25.4 million. These people make up one of the most vulnerable populations globally. This study aims to understand the strategies refugees used to cope with the impact on their mental health by the difficult pre- and post-resettlement circumstances they encountered. Methods A systematic review of articles reporting case studies concerning adult refugees' experiences in the hosting country. The electronic databases searched were: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science. Eligible manuscripts were examined through a narrative synthesis. Results Twenty-two articles fitted the inclusion criteria and four main themes were highlighted: reasons for fleeing; the impact of negative experiences on mental health; supportive experiences and coping strategies; and experiences of mental health treatment. Conclusions Refugees present a significant impact on mental health due to pre- and post-migration experiences. The approach offered to this group and reported as the most effective to deal with such an impact was the multidimensional approach that, besides caring for the psychic aspects, contemplated the cultural context of each one, assisted in housing, employment, financial aid, support with learning the new language and social activities.

RESUMO Objetivo Refugiados fazem parte de uma das populações mais vulneráveis do mundo, que em 2017 alcançou a cifra de 25,4 milhões de pessoas nessa condição. Este estudo visa compreender as estratégias utilizadas por eles para lidar com o impacto na saúde mental sofrido devido às circunstâncias pré e pós-reassentamento pelas quais perpassam. Métodos Revisão sistemática de artigos apresentando estudos de caso sobre experiências de refugiados adultos no país anfitrião. Foram pesquisados os seguintes bancos de dados: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus e Web of Science. Os manuscritos elegíveis foram examinados por meio de síntese narrativa. Resultados Vinte e dois artigos preencheram os critérios de inclusão e quatro temas principais foram destacados: razões para abandonar o país de origem; o impacto de experiências negativas na saúde mental; experiências de apoio e estratégias de enfrentamento; e experiências de tratamento em saúde mental. Conclusões Refugiados sofrem um significativo impacto na saúde mental devido às experiências pré e pós-saída do país de origem. A abordagem ofertada a esse grupo e relatada como mais eficaz para lidar com tal impacto foi a multidimensional, que, além dos cuidados aos aspectos psíquicos, contemplou o contexto cultural de cada um e auxiliou em questões de moradia, emprego, ajuda financeira, apoio ao aprendizado da nova língua e atividades sociais.