Psychosocial support among refugees of conflict in developing countries

Abstract

Key implications for practice Refugees of conflicts in developing countries suffer more from secondary stressors than from trauma  Refugees have intrinsic psychosocial support mechanisms to respond to these stressors.  Shared social Identity plays an important role in these mechanisms. AbstractThe aim of this paper is to examine the psychosocial needs and stressors among refugees of conflicts in developing countries, and their group-based social support mechanisms. A systematic literature search of peer reviewed journal articles (n = 60 articles) was carried out using the following factors: type (refugee); cause (conflicts); location (developing countries). As refugees move towards a prolonged urban displacement phase, needs and stressors become different than those of the acute phase. Daily stressors affect far more people than are affected by PTSD, but many psychosocial support interventions focus simply on the latter. Positive effects of social support on the mental health of displaced people are established; the process is not clear, yet group processes and identities seem to be important. We therefore suggest that the social identity approach can be applied to understand the emergence of a common refugee identity and its role in empowerment through activating social support networks.

The Role of Emergent Shared Identity in Psychosocial Support among Refugees of Conflict in Developing Countries

“…One social context where the social identity approach has been relevant and that appears to have some features in common with the situation of refugees, is that of collective responses to an emergency or disaster (Alfadhli & Drury, 2016). In an emergency or disaster, people may find themselves in the same situation as other people who are affected, with their usual support mechanisms gone.…”

The role of shared social identity in mutual support among refugees of conflict: An ethnographic study of Syrian refugees in Jordan

“…The challenges arising from protracted displacement were analysed in a recent review of the literature, which found a wide range of secondary stressors among the refugees (Alfadhli & Drury, ). These secondary stressors (Lock et al, ) do not directly arise from the emergency (war) but are socially mediated (i.e., a function of social organization subsequent to the war).…”

“…The notion of shared identities as a resource for support among refugees is evident in some of the refugee literature (Alfadhli & Drury, ), though these accounts lack any psychological specification of the mechanisms involved and only include an occasional and general reference to the possible origin of this shared identity in common circumstances (e.g., Moulin, ).…”

Feasibility Study of Determining Prevalence of Common Mental Health Disorders in Male Immigration Detainees

“…This can lead to prolonged material deprivation, uncertainty and social exclusion which increase the risk of poorer mental health and emotional wellbeing. 47,48,49 Social integration and membership of social groups has been identified as key factors for good mental health in all citizens, and particularly important for refugees and asylum seekers. Ager & Strang (2004 50 ) developed a framework with 10 key indicators of integration: employment, housing, education, health, social bridges, social bonds, social links, language and cultural knowledge, safety and stability, and rights and citizenship.…”

“…This may include increasing their knowledge about public transport, helping them to develop strategies to become more confident and less reliant on other family members for help, and encouraging them to attend specific events. 134,135 Given problems with discrimination and negative responses from the host community, it can be important to change their attitudes, so they are more welcoming and value what refugees and asylum seekers can contribute to their community. Host communities may feel threatened, for example, from perceptions that the new arrivals will compete with them for jobs, affordable housing and access to healthcare, or have different cultural identities and values.…”