Building a home in Chicago: Integration and mental health in a newcomer Rohingya refugee community.

Abstract

Objective: Since 2010, approximately 1,000-1,500 Rohingya refugees have resettled in Chicago, Illinois, but there is limited literature on their postresettlement experiences. This study explored the relationship between integration (economic, linguistic, navigational, psychological, and social) and psychological distress among the Rohingya community in Chicago, and how it relates to age and gender. Method: This study was conducted in collaboration with the Rohingya Cultural Center in 2019. The survey was verbally administered to Rohingya community members (N = 308; M age = 37.03; 52% men). A χ 2 test of independence was used to assess gender differences in employment status. A Generalized Wilcoxon Test was conducted to compare differences in integration and psychological distress among men and women. Multiple γ generalized regression analysis was used to examine psychological distress as the outcome, predicted by integration, age, and gender. Results: Findings showed that men had higher levels of involvement in the labor force than women, as well as higher levels of linguistic integration. Analyses also revealed that women and older participants were more likely to experience psychological distress. Additionally, higher psychological and navigational integration were associated with lower psychological distress. In contrast, lower social integration was significantly associated with lower psychological distress. Conclusion: This study points to the importance of a more nuanced approach to integration, given within-group variability along integration dimensions. Community-level interventions should consider the diverse needs of refugees, particularly those of women and older adults. More research is needed to understand these experiences longitudinally and qualitatively. Public Significance StatementRefugees have diverse needs upon resettlement. Resettlement programs may want to consider which components of integration are most ideal to prioritize; our research indicates that assisting newcomer refugees to feel welcomed and providing access to health care are particularly important for psychological well-being, whereas social integration with "Americans" may be less important when embedded in an ethnic enclave, like for the Rohingya population. Our findings also support the importance of resettling refugee communities in close proximity of each other, particularly in cities with the infrastructure to serve the needs of immigrants and refugees.