Role of Family in Refugee Adjustment: Experiences of Hmong, Somali, and Syrian Refugees in the USA

Abstract

Compared to other immigrants, refugees often face unique challenges and higher levels of trauma due to their abrupt migration. When resettling in a new country, refugees may continue to face trauma, including race-based trauma, which impacts their overall well-being and adjustment. Despite the vast literature on trauma and refugees, few studies have examined the positive role of family in refugee adjustment. Using a qualitative approach, the current study explores the role of family and support from family members in refugee adjustment. Forty participants across three refugee groups (Hmong, Syrian, and Somali) were interviewed in their language of choice. Using thematic analysis, we found four overarching themes: family social support, sense of belonging in the family, family centrality, and ethnic community as an extension of the family and a source of strength. Across the three groups, various forms of support from family members were cited as playing a prominent role in their adjustment. We found how important it was for participants to feel like they belong in their community; those who lacked biological family members sought support and connections in their wider ethnic community (e.g., neighborhoods). Our findings also suggest families playing a key role as many discussed how their lives and daily routines revolved around their families. We propose that future research should focus on examining the role of family as a resource, in refugee adjustment, and include perspectives from several family members.

Social Support Experiences Among Yemeni Refugee Women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study

“…This suggested that refugee women had limited alternatives to earn money or that they did not receive enough support from other sources. Studies have shown that family members' instrumental support is essential to refugees' adjustment processes [14][15]. For instance, a study conducted among Hmong, Syrian, and Somali refugees in the United States indicated that the financial and educational support from family members helped them settle into their host country [15].…”

“…Studies have shown that family members' instrumental support is essential to refugees' adjustment processes [14][15]. For instance, a study conducted among Hmong, Syrian, and Somali refugees in the United States indicated that the financial and educational support from family members helped them settle into their host country [15]. The material and financial support somewhat alleviated the economic hardships faced by refugee women.…”

The role of temporality in adolescent refugees' sense of well‐being

“…Furthermore, our findings support previous studies highlighting the importance of continuous relationships in families and communities for successful refugee adjustment (cf. Seff et al, 2021;Xiong et al, 2021). Family and community members represented safe continuity in adolescent refugees' lives.…”

Resettlement, mental health, and coping: a mixed methods survey with recently resettled refugee parents in Canada

“…While family dysfunction and conflict are associated with poor mental health outcomes, family social support has consistently emerged as an important source of strength and resilience across studies with diverse refugee populations in different resettlement contexts [12,20]. Qualitative research with Hmong, Syrian, and Somali refugees in the United States, for instance, found that family social support, sense of belonging in the family, family centrality, and ethnic community as an extension of the family played an integral role in coping with resettlement stressors and fostering positive adjustment [21]. These findings supporting the vital role of the family in influencing mental health, coping, and adjustment are consistent with a family systems perspective, which views the family as a dynamic system that is both impacted by stressful social contexts as well as a potential source of resilience [22].…”