An Overview of Stressors Faced by Immigrants and Refugees: A Guide for Mental Health Practitioners

Dow, Helena D.

doi:10.1177/1084822310390878

Cited by 46 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…However, research that is available has tended to report high rates of psychopathology in refugee adults (Fazel, Wheeler, & Danesh, 2005) and youth (Fazel & Stein, 2003). Although there are limitations to such prevalence studies, including a lack of cross-culturally appropriate assessment tools and great heterogeneity in sample populations, the majority of this literature acknowledges that the very nature of the refugee experience including significant stressors pre, during and postmigration places these individuals at great risk of developing either MH problems (Davidson et al, 2004;Dow, 2011;Porter & Haslam, 2005) or AOD problems (Beyer & Reid, 2000;Brune, Haasen, Yagdiran, & Bustos, 2003;Yee & Thu, 1987). While comorbidity is considered a priority issue in Australia (Allsop, 2008;Deady et al, 2013;Teesson & Burns, 2001), there is a clear lack of research looking extensively into the causes of AOD and MH problems in refugee populations, despite their obvious vulnerability to these disorders.…”

Section: Prevalence Of Mh and Aod Problems In Refugee Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aetiology of Coexisting Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders: Perspectives of Refugee Youth and Service Providers

Posselt

Procter

Galletly

et al. 2015

Australian Psychologist

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In the general population, people with comorbid mental health (MH) and alcohol and other drug (AOD) disorders (comorbidity) have great difficulty accessing appropriate services, and poor outcomes. Little is known about comorbidity in resettled refugees in Australia. This study was designed to identify risk factors and patterns of comorbidity development in young people from refugee backgrounds living in a disadvantaged urban region of Adelaide, South Australia. This qualitative study utilised in-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 30) with resettled refugee youth and workers from MH, AOD, and refugee support services. Thematic analyses were conducted to investigate the aetiology of MH and AOD disorders in young refugees. Interviews with both groups revealed how the interrelated nature of risk factors may place young people from refugee backgrounds at heightened risk of experiencing MH and AOD problems. The situations and conditions described by both groups are discussed under six main themes: pre-migration experiences of torture and trauma; familial factors of intergenerational conflict; post-migration adjustment difficulties in terms of language, culture, education, and employment; exposure to and availability of substances; maladaptive coping strategies and self-medication; and access to information and services. Implications for psychologists and MH professionals are identified, emphasising the need for clinicians to understand the complexities surrounding the aetiology of comorbidity in these youth. The initial assessment needs to be comprehensive, including pre-and post-settlement experiences and cultural and family dimensions of their current situation. Treatment may often need to simultaneously address multiple contributing factors and involve culturally sensitive psychoeducation.

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Section: Prevalence Of Mh and Aod Problems In Refugee Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aetiology of Coexisting Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders: Perspectives of Refugee Youth and Service Providers

Posselt

Procter

Galletly

et al. 2015

Australian Psychologist

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“…When working with SEA populations, a thorough assessment of pre-migration, migration, and resettlement experiences is crucial in establishing a basic foundation for understanding their potential impact on individual family members, as well as on various aspects of the whole family network and its dynamics across time and generations (Dinh, 2009;Dow, 2011;Nicholson, 1997;Nguyen & Lee, 2012).…”

Section: Implications For Research and Practice With Sea Families Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of War and Migration Trauma on Southeast Asian Families in the United States

Dinh¹,

Le²

2019

JECS

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This review article focuses on Southeast Asian (SEA) families, which include Vietnamese, Laotian, Hmong, and Cambodian ethnic groups, comprising about three million people in the United States. Although many differences exist among SEAs, they share experiences of war and migration-related trauma and losses that continue to have long-term effects on their families and individual well-being within and across generations. Research and practice work with SEA families and individuals requires in depth knowledge of their experiences before, during, and after migration to the U.S. This article on SEA families, although not exhaustive in its coverage, highlights the following topics: SEA populations in the U.S., migration history, resettlement and adaptation in the U.S., mental health issues of SEAs, traditional SEA family, migration and family formation, migration and family relationships, migration and family in later life, and implications for research and practice with SEA families and individuals.

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“…Refugees who experience an unparalleled degree of trauma may have critical long-term mental health consequences (Beiser, 2009;Corvo & Peterson, 2005;Dow, 2011;Museru et al, 2010). Unstable living conditions caused by war and migration can exacerbate the intensity and duration of stress for Iraqi refugees, leading to serious physical and emotional consequences.…”

Section: Refugee Mental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Living with the Choice: A Grounded Theory of Iraqi Refugee Resettlement to the U.S.

Davenport

2017

Issues in Mental Health Nursing

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Though the United States has become a place of increasing resettlement for refugees, particularly Iraqi refugees who have been forced to flee their homeland due to violence, persecution and civil unrest, little is known about Iraqi refugee resettlement in the United States, or the way in which resettlement impacts health and adjustment. A grounded theory study was conducted to develop a substantive theory of Iraqi refugee resettlement. Participants in the qualitative study included 29 Iraqi refugees and 2 community partners who participated in face-to face interviews. Data analysis and interpretation revealed fundamental concepts related to Iraqi refugee resettlement. Results of analysis showed that for Iraqis choosing to resettle here, the outcome is dichotomous: satisfaction or regret. The outcome is influenced by contextual factors as well as facilitating and hindering intervening conditions during the basic social process of resettlement transition. Each refugee's story is unique, yet all share common threads. This study allowed Iraqi refugees the opportunity to voice their personal experiences of resettling in America, and revealed life stories that inspire and illuminate a process that can guide health care delivery as they cope with the stresses of their journey. As a result, an in-depth storyline was established to explain the process of resettlement for Iraqi refugees. The development of this resettlement theory, grounded in Iraqi refugee experience, has the potential to guide nursing education, enhance the efficacy of practice, inform policy development and form the basis for research.

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An Overview of Stressors Faced by Immigrants and Refugees: A Guide for Mental Health Practitioners

Cited by 46 publications

References 33 publications

Aetiology of Coexisting Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders: Perspectives of Refugee Youth and Service Providers

Aetiology of Coexisting Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Disorders: Perspectives of Refugee Youth and Service Providers

The Effects of War and Migration Trauma on Southeast Asian Families in the United States

Living with the Choice: A Grounded Theory of Iraqi Refugee Resettlement to the U.S.

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