Relational Upheaval During Refugee Resettlement: Service Provider Perspectives

Abstract

Objective We seek to provide insight on intimate relationships and service provider response for refugees during the resettlement transition in the United States. Background Refugees resettling in the United States face numerous stressful transitions that could affect their relationships with intimate partners. Thus, refugees may be at risk for increased relationship upheaval, yet typical options for support are limited by migration and a potentially unsupportive political climate. Frontline service providers may be able to offer support, but we know little about the relationship challenges refugee couples face and how service providers might help clients navigate these experiences. Method The study team observed a refugee women's health promotion support group (n = 7) and conducted interviews of a purposive sample of refugee‐serving social service providers (n = 16) with varying roles in the resettlement process. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Results indicate that refugee‐serving providers have opportunities to observe relationship upheaval during the resettlement process including general disagreements and distress, as well as the potential for conflict escalating to aggression in rare cases; in other cases, resettlement may enable refugee couples to negotiate new ways of relating to each other in a new setting. Providers also become involved in clients' relational lives and give assistance in various ways, including educating clients on gender norms and conflict resolution; however, the levels of provider preparedness and training vary. Conclusion Frontline providers are exposed to relationship upheaval in refugee clients, although these needs may be presented as requests for advice on practical decisions (e.g. childcare, bank accounts, and property ownership). These decisions have important long‐term consequences not only for relational growth but for protection against future tension; therefore, this is a critical period for provider intervention. Implications Service providers in resettlement agencies, particularly frontline workers, should be trained to identify and respond to relationship upheaval, including being taught to recognize signs of abuse and being aware of options for safety planning and professional support.

“It’s hard because it’s something new”: challenges for forcibly displaced parents upon resettlement

“…However, some forced migrant fathers do take up domestic roles, relieving the burden of the mother and find themselves having closer relationships with their children (Matthiesen, 2019; Stewart et al , 2015). Conflict in relationships due to new gender norms are found to be accepted at different rates depending on the outlook of the partner, which may either strengthen or weaken relationships (Tlapek et al , 2020). All parents may experience role expansion, but single mothers may find themselves additionally taking on the traditional gendered role of fathers being the provider and the disciplinarian (Amadala, 2012).…”

Post-Resettlement Intimate Partner Domestic Violence in Afghan and Arab Refugees: A Scoping Review

“…In another study, a change in women's attitudes was reported to depend on their education level, English proficiency, personal experience of IPDV, years of living in the host country, connecting with the host society, and pursuing education in the new home (Afrouz et al 2021b). Tlapek, S. M. and colleagues also reported that refugee women in their host countries encounter new gender roles that can increase daily relational confrontations; refugee women may stand up to their partners, ask for shared decision-making, and no longer tolerate inadequate pre-resettlement gender norms (Tlapek et al 2020).…”

“…In the new environment, women have less trust and take their marital challenges from the family. Most women do not share their IPDV or relationship challenges with providers, only with trusted family or friends (Tlapek et al 2020). Abdel Meguid et al also mentioned that women prefer family members as the first source of help-seeking, followed by friends and then the Imam, and lastly to get help from formal authorities and shelters.…”

“…Although most studies reported that women acknowledged IPDV in their lives and within their families (Meguid and Bakry 2006;Wachter et al 2019), the responses and action-taking toward IPDV were highly varied. Refugee women may develop changes in their roles and perceptions, which act as polyfactorial determinants of action change (Afrouz et al 2021a(Afrouz et al , 2021bTlapek et al 2020). While women viewed DV as unacceptable, they also had to work to keep their families together in their new environment.…”