Social Adaptation of Afghan Refugees in Malaysia

Zarkesh, Nadia; Baranovich, Diana Lea; Shoup, Raymond C

doi:10.1166/asl.2017.8569

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…As mental health challenges are widespread among refugee communities residing in stressful and uncertain environments (Kok et al, 2017;Low et al, 2014;Zarkesh et al, 2017), this study also contributes to the literature by examining a hybrid intervention that incorporates attention to improving well-being alongside the broader focus on parenting. Both groups experienced significant decreases in emotional distress after participating in the intervention, although for both groups, increases in distress were observed at 3-month follow-up.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In these locations of temporary asylum such as Malaysia, where over 177,000 refugees and asylum seekers are registered with UNHCR, refugee families have few legal rights as well as limited access to education and health resources (Abdullah, Dali, & Razak, 2018; Letchamanan, 2013; Smith, 2012; UNHCR, 2020a. Stress and barriers to well‐being are common among refugees and asylum seekers residing in Malaysia (Kok, Lee, & Low, 2017; Low, Kok, & Lee, 2014; Shaw, Ward, Pillai, & Hinton, 2019; Zarkesh, Baranovich, & Shoup, 2017). Despite challenges, parents utilize personal and social resources to manage responsibilities and support their children’s well‐being (Lenette, Brough, & Cox, 2013).…”

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confidence: 99%

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A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing a Parenting Intervention Among Afghan and Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

Shaw¹,

Ward

Pillai³

et al. 2020

Family Process

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Refugee families experience uncertainty and stress when residing in countries of first asylum, such as Malaysia, and may benefit from supportive parenting interventions. In the greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area we piloted an eight‐week parenting program with 79 Rohingya and Afghan mothers in nine separate groups. Participants were randomized to an intervention group or a waitlist control group and those in each arm completed a 3‐month follow‐up assessment. Program content addressed positive discipline, strengthening family relationships, adapting to a new environment, and improving health and emotional well‐being. Measures assessed included child intensity and parenting self‐efficacy from the Child Adjustment and Parent Efficacy Scale; positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, and poor supervision from the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire‐Short Form; family intimacy and family conflict from the Family Functioning Scale, and emotional well‐being from the Refugee Health Screening‐15. Participating in the intervention led to beneficial changes in child intensity, parenting self‐efficacy, family intimacy, family conflict, and emotional distress for the treatment group, and all changes except for emotional distress were maintained over time. However, the intervention did not lead to changes in positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, or poor supervision in the treatment group. Findings point to the potential benefits of parenting programs for refugee communities in transitory settings and contribute to the limited body of literature examining such programs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing a Parenting Intervention Among Afghan and Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

Shaw¹,

Ward

Pillai³

et al. 2020

Family Process

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“…As the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recognizes, refugees in Malaysia predominantly live in the Klang Valley, where they are forced to share living space in large groups, frequently finding jobs under the table as their status is often not registered as legal. In addition, they are not able to attend formal educational institutions and although they can enjoy access to the Malaysian government health care system, the cost of treatment combined with a lack of sufficient income may discourage refugees from seeking treatment (Zarkesh, et al, 2017). This study focused on gaining an understanding of the well-being of Afghan refugees in Malaysia, considering the lack of legal status for refugees in Malaysia and the plight they face in terms of access to jobs, education and health care.…”

Section: Problem Statementmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploratory Investigation of Refugees Personal Values and Subjective Well-Being in Malaysia

Raofi

2023

IJSSHMR

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This study offers an integrated approach to understanding subjective well-being and attempts to extend the theoretical and empirical evidence on the causal relationships among Afghan refugees from personal values effect on their subjective wellbeing. The data were collected using an online survey among (n = 105) Afghan refugees in Malaysia. A structural equation model using AMOS was developed to examine how personal values and subjective well-being were related. Results showed that: (1) Healthy values are related to positive effects for second-generation immigrants and (2) Unhealthy values are related to negative effects. These results can be due to Afghan refugees' rising aspirations and ambitions that follow their routine in the improved surroundings in their host country. It can be suggested that fostering healthy values and delaying the process of Afghan refugees’ uncertain social expectations is a promising route to enhance their subjective well-being.

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“…Refugee parents are concerned about education access for their children (Letchamanan, 2013). Among both adult and child refugees in Malaysia from diverse ethnic groups, mental health and social adaptation challenges are common (Kok et al, 2017; Low et al, 2014; Shaw et al, 2018; Zarkesh et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parenting Among Rohingya and Afghan Refugee Parents Residing in Malaysia

Shaw

Pillai²,

Yang

et al. 2020

Family Relations

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Objective This study examined the measurement properties of parenting‐related measures among 140 Rohingya and Afghan refugee parents residing in Malaysia, then examined factors associated with these parenting outcomes. Background Unprecedented numbers of forced migrant families reside in countries of first asylum with temporary status and limited legal rights. Limited research examines parenting experiences among these communities. Method To examine construct validity and reliability of parenting‐related measures among this sample, we carried out confirmatory factor analysis to examine respectively the factor structure of scales measuring underlying latent constructs of Child Adjustment & Parent Efficacy, the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire, and the Family Functioning Scale. Their associations with individual (gender, age, ethnicity, education), social (marital status, number of children), and environmental factors (time in Malaysia, food insecurity, employment, and emotional distress) were examined using structural equation modeling. Results Residing in Malaysia for a longer period of time was associated with higher child behavioral intensity, lower parent self‐efficacy, and higher family conflict. Food insecurity was associated with lower parent self‐efficacy, and being employed was associated with positive parenting as well as poor supervision. Higher levels of emotional distress were associated with higher child behavioral intensity, lower parent self‐efficacy, and lower levels of poor supervision. Conclusion Displacement challenges negatively affect refugee parents and families. Implications Solutions are needed that bolster the abilities of forced migrants to establish permanence and provide for their families. Additionally, attention toward the unique challenges of refugee families can guide service provision within countries of first asylum.

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Social Adaptation of Afghan Refugees in Malaysia

Cited by 6 publications

References 0 publications

A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing a Parenting Intervention Among Afghan and Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing a Parenting Intervention Among Afghan and Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia

An Exploratory Investigation of Refugees Personal Values and Subjective Well-Being in Malaysia

Parenting Among Rohingya and Afghan Refugee Parents Residing in Malaysia

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