Social capital and refugee resettlement: The social networks of refugees in Canada

Abstract

Survey data from a la~ige sample of recent refugees (N=525) living in Canada are used to profile the size and structure qf refitgees" social networks and to highlight the value (or.function) of such social capital in the resettlement process. Despite the traumas associated with becoming a refitgee, most adult refugees remain part of at least some fimfflial networks. A large minority are connected with more extended &mily networks, and ahnost half plan to build these networks by sponsoring other thmily members. As resettlement continues, more extensive extra-familial networks involving neigqzbours, co-workers and employers, other communiO/ members, and a wide range qfiservice providers art" constructed. These many formal and informal social networks a~v extremely valuable, providing much-needed support and assistance when rel~gees are faced with financial, employment, personal, or health problems. Policy challenges arising from these findings are discussed. Les donndes d'un sondage auprf's d'un g,'and dchantillon (N=525) de r~!fugffs ~afche-ment dtablis art Canada setz~ent h t;tablir un profil de la taille et de la structure des rdseaux sociaux des rdfilgi& et h soulivp~er la wfleur (on la fonction) de ce capital social dans le ptvcessus de rdinstallation. Mal~~ ~ les traumatismes allant de pair avec le passage h l'dtat de rd~Gqd, la plupart des rdfugi~;s adultes continuent h.&ire pattie d'un rdseau familial au moins partieI. Parmi eux, une minoritd importante est ~Plide ~' des r&eaux de famille dtendue et pri~s de la moitid compte dtqfJkr ces n;seaux en parminant d'autres membres de la famille. Au_fil de la r~;installation, il se n)nstitue des rdscaux plus Ftendus qui vont au-del?~ de la famille pour inclure les voisins, les coll?~gues et les employeurs, d'autres membres de la communaut~; et route une gamme de p~vstataires de se~z~ices. Ces nombreux rdseaux sociaux o -~ciels et qf_~cieux sont vitaux, car ils fournissent un soutien et une aide prdcieux quand les r~fugi& doivent faire /hce h des p~vbl~mes de.finances, d'emploi, de santd ou de caracff're personnel. Suit une discussion des implications de ces constatations en matii~tv de choix de politiques.

After Coming In, Settling In: An Analysis of Early-Stage Acculturation Preferences of Male Syrian and Iraqi Asylum Seekers in Belgium

“…Navarra, Niehof & van der Vaart, 2013). This literature has shown that possessing this type of social network provides useful resources generating employment opportunities to migrants and satisfying their special needs and preferences (Bertrand, 2000;Bun & Christie, 1995;Lamba & Krahn, 2003). We could therefore expect settlement intentions to be associated with willingness to maintain their origin culture insofar as this cultural maintenance may facilitate the immigrants' settlement.…”

Integration through participation: The effects of participating in an English Conversation club on refugee and asylum seeker integration

“…The specific categorisation of a network or support and their respective effects on the individual have been explored throughout many disciplines ranging from sociology and anthropology to politics, psychology, and health sciences. Social networks have been shown to: affect decision-making and migration patterns of refugees (Koser and Pinkerton 2002), highlight refugees' proactive and resourceful nature (Lamba and Krahn 2003), provide a forum in which to share common experiences (Kawachi and Berkman 2001), increase self-confidence and provide a feeling of belonging (Beirens et al 2007), and offer valuable sources for gaining information (Simich et al 2003). Such networks may be transnational in nature, where the refugee/asylum seeker is connected to others from one's country of origin; they may also be local, consisting of members of the host community and refugees/asylum seekers (Williams 2006).…”

“Tell Me What I Need to Know”: South Asian Women, Social Capital and Settlement

“…In a study of more than 500 refugees in Canada, Lamba and Krahn (2003) revealed that the participants drew on family networks to solve financial and personal problems. Social ties were not only maintained by the refugees but also strengthened and purposefully developed into more extensive networks including neighbors, coworkers, employers, community members, and service providers as the settlement process continued.…”