Forced migration-induced diminished social networks and support, and its impact on the emotional wellbeing of older refugees in Western countries: A scoping review

Ekoh, Prince Chiagozie; Iwuagwu, Anthony Obinna; George, Elizabeth Onyedikachi; Walsh, Christine A.

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2022.104839

Cited by 10 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…Life events like forced migration are characterised by changes in social networks and support (Sippel et al, 2015). Many forced migrants lose their social networks during events leading to forced migration; they migrate to new environments where the nature of social support may differ (Ekoh et al, 2022b; Sippel et al, 2015), and this typically leads to a gap in support. Convoy circles can collect data on the quantity and quality of social networks and support available to forced migrants in two ways.…”

Section: Theorising the Need To Adopt Diagramming For Data Collection...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many migrate from rural to urban centres, from low-and-middle-income to high-income countries (HelpAge International, 2018), with limited education and training to make a livelihood in their new environment (Habu et al, 2017). Forced migration is also characterised by losses of properties, social networks and support (Ekoh et al, 2022b), traumatic experiences and other mental health challenges (Saxon et al, 2017), health problems and disabilities (Filler et al, 2021), abuse (Human Rights Watch, 2016), limited access to resources (Wachter et al, 2021), poverty and loss of agency (Horn, 2009), language and cultural differences (Burton and Breen, 2002). Some of these characteristics and challenges associated with forced migration make diagramming a valuable tool for data elicitation with forced migrants.…”

Section: Understanding Forced Migrants and Their Unique Features For ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps: Positing diagramming as a salient tool for qualitative data collection in research with forced migrants

Ekoh

Sitter

2023

Qualitative Social Work

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Visual elicitation methods, such as diagramming, are growing in their use with vulnerable populations, trauma-informed research, and social work studies where the use of traditional oral interviews alone may be lacking in their ability to increase access to different areas of human consciousness. The adoption and designing of innovative diagramming and visual methods have the potential to push the boundaries of data collection in understanding the experiences of forced migrants. However, scholars have seldom adopted this method in forced migration research. In this article, the authors explore three diagramming methods-timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps-to highlight the possibilities of their use for social work research with forced migrants. The benefits of utilising these methods in support of the unique characteristics and challenges of forced migrants are also discussed. The article concludes by identifying several limitations while advocating for the adoption and documentation of the use of diagramming in studies with forced migrants.

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Section: Theorising the Need To Adopt Diagramming For Data Collection...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Understanding Forced Migrants and Their Unique Features For ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps: Positing diagramming as a salient tool for qualitative data collection in research with forced migrants

Ekoh

Sitter

2023

Qualitative Social Work

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“…Refugees come to Canada either through seeking asylum or through the UNHCR. Older immigrants comprise 30% of older adults in Canada and face social isolation problems due to limited civic and community participation (Government of Canada, 2022;Guruge, 2019) and diminished social networks and support (De Jong et al, 2015;Ekoh et al, 2022). This is worse for older refugees who typically migrate from countries where community support influences well-being (Shemirani, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ubuntu and forced migration: reflections for social work engagement with older refugees in Canada

Prince Chaigozie EKOH

2023

Afri. J. Soc. Work

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As an African philosophy, Ubuntu, anchored in our humanness and interconnectedness, holds a lot of promise for social work research and practice with older refugees. It can potentially make communal care and mutual support between older refugees and host communities a lifestyle that can address the peculiar needs of older refugees. This article synthesised literature linking Ubuntu to social work and refugees using a desk review. The reviewed literature illustrates Ubuntu’s significance in social justice, respect for the dignity and worth of refugees and improving their integration into society. Ubuntu was also found to help refugees develop resilience and strength, especially when they support other refugees. It moves away from the pathological view of refugeeism to understanding refugees as people who also provide support. However, despite Ubuntu being a lifestyle in Africa, many Africans seem to have abandoned this, as evidenced by various social issues affecting refugees in Africa, such as xenophobic attacks. This paper makes a case for adopting Ubuntu in social work practice and research with older refugees through the development of communal support systems of care. Journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net How to reference using ASWNet style: Ekoh P. C. and Warria A. (2023). Ubuntu and forced migration: reflections for social work engagement with older refugees in Canada. African Journal of Social Work, 13(1), 1-11. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v13i1.1

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“…Older migrants (immigrants and refugees) aged 65 years and over account for 12% (34.3 million) of the global 281 million international migrants. 9 However, with the continued worldwide increase in the population of older adults, 10 , 11 and given that by 2050, it is estimated that 80% of these older adults will live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, which are typically the countries of origin of international migrants, 12 there is a possibility of an unprecedented increase in the number of older immigrants 13 and refugees. 14 Regardless of this concern, older immigrants and refugees have drawn very sparse scholarly and humanitarian attention as the bulk of efforts are targeted towards women and children.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the impact of digital technology on the well-being of older immigrants and refugees: A scoping review

Ekoh,

Okolie,

Nnadi

et al. 2023

DIGITAL HEALTH

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Background The fast-paced development of digital technologies in the areas of social media, pet robots, smart homes, and artificial intelligence, among others, profoundly influence the daily lives of older adults. Digital technology can improve the well-being and quality of life of older adults, older immigrants and refugees who suffer migration-associated stress, loneliness, health and psychosocial challenges. Aims The aim of this scoping review is to map out extant empirical literature that has examined the implication of digital technology among older refugees and immigrants. Methods Using a 1 five-stage framework, we conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed empirical studies published in English with no time restrictions. We searched nine databases for the reviews, and abstracts were reviewed using Rayyan QCRi(c) before the full-text review. The comprehensive database search yielded 4134 articles, of which 15 met the inclusion criteria. Results The results of the review suggest that digital technology is essential to the well-being, quality of life of older immigrants and refugees, especially for maintaining and building new social support networks, navigating opportunities, coping with migration-induced stress through e-leisure, and staying connected to their culture. The literature also revealed poor utilisation of digital technologies amongst older immigrants and refugees, suggesting barriers to access. Conclusion The study concluded by highlighting the need for more research and interventions that focus on multiple strategies, including education for increased access to and utilisation of digital technology to ensure that more older migrants can benefit from the advantages of digital technology in a safe way.

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Forced migration-induced diminished social networks and support, and its impact on the emotional wellbeing of older refugees in Western countries: A scoping review

Cited by 10 publications

References 43 publications

Timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps: Positing diagramming as a salient tool for qualitative data collection in research with forced migrants

Timelines, convoy circles, and ecomaps: Positing diagramming as a salient tool for qualitative data collection in research with forced migrants

Ubuntu and forced migration: reflections for social work engagement with older refugees in Canada

Understanding the impact of digital technology on the well-being of older immigrants and refugees: A scoping review

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