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PubMed1991

Stress related to family change among Vietnamese refugees.

Because life changes have been known to have consequences for emotional and physical well-being, this study demonstrates the need for community health nurses (CHNs) to assess structural and functional changes in Vietnamese refugee spousal relations as possible sources of stress following resettlement. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the structural and functional dimensions of family life and assess their impact on spousal relations. The major variables considered in effecting change in spousal interactions were relocation, exposure to more liberal attitudes toward gender equality in the United States, and wife employment. Spousal power differentials and affectivity were used as measures of change. Intensive interviews, using a semistructured interview guide, were conducted with 30 Vietnamese refugee women; the sample was nonrandom and cross-sectional. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics and pre- and postresettlement spousal relations. Wife employment, associated with proficiency in English and longer length of residence in the U.S., was found to promote more egalitarian spousal relations and greater spousal affectivity. When wives were not employed, they tended to describe an increase in affectivity without an appreciable decrease in spousal power differentials. This effect was enhanced by isolation within the host society as a result of limited English skills, unemployment, and a shorter length of residence.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A successful initiative for getting refugee doctors back into medical employment: the PRIME project.

Refugee doctors find it difficult to get back to medical work in their new countries. This article describes the setting up and evaluation of the Placing Refugee doctors In Medical Employment (PRIME) project which resulted in 15 out of 25 participants getting substantive jobs in open competition within a year, and suggests this approach should be more widely adopted.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Helping refugee doctors get their first jobs: the pan-London clinical attachment scheme.

Refugee doctors are a potentially valuable addition to the medical workforce in the UK. Despite this, they often have trouble getting jobs. An innovative structured clinical attachment scheme resulted in 17 out of 29 refugee doctors being appointed to jobs. Details of the scheme and the factors which may have influenced this outcome are discussed in this article.

Career Choice↗
PubMed1998

Understanding and responding to the health and mental health needs of Asian refugees.

Asian refugees in the United States have health and mental health needs that are different from those of mainstream Americans and even of recent immigrants. This paper provides a close look at the past experiences and present lives of these refugees, highlights their major problems, and identifies their health and mental health needs. It discusses the reasons why their needs are not being adequately met, and proposes the "what" and "how" of the contributions that social workers can make to addressing those needs.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2003

Physical activity programs for refugee Somali women: working out in a new country.

Islamic refugee women from non-westernized countries face a number of challenges in adapting to their new country, especially when that new country is westernized and is not Islamic. Refugees are primarily women and children, so it is important that women be in their best health because they usually bear the responsibility of caring for each other and children, often in very difficult situations. Maintaining or obtaining good levels of physical activity contributes to good health: mentally, physically and socially. At the request of women in the local Somali community, a number of initiatives were taken to increase their opportunities for physical activity. Through interviews, observations and conversations we explored barriers to fitness and exercise, the social, physical, and cultural effects of physical activity, and solutions to facilitate Somali women's access to fitness and exercise opportunities. Physical activity interventions included exercise classes in a community center used by the Somali community, trial memberships at a local women-only fitness center, and walking and sports groups. We discuss the procedural issues relating to setting-up these physical activity opportunities, the results of interviews with 37 of the women about their health and perceptions and issues relating to the physical activity options, and our recommendations for setting up similar classes with other Somali or Islamic communities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Advocacy as a means to an end: assisting refugee women to take control of their reproductive health needs.

Negotiating reproductive rights is particularly complex for resettling migrant women from refugee backgrounds. In our ongoing work with women who have fled from countries in Africa and the Middle East, and have resettled in Australia and New Zealand, subtleties of discrimination and perceptions of human rights discriminations were revealed through the complex interplay between research and advocacy. Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) has therefore been critical in assisting women to identify their needs and negotiate acceptable solutions with health services. This paper presents qualitative and quantitative findings of research with women from refugee backgrounds in Australia (n = 255) and New Zealand (n = 64). The research questions were a combination of community-driven and researcher initiated issues and the projects developed through a continuous iterative process involving feedback from women in the community. We highlight the essential role of advocacy in CBPR and how that can enhance research quality. We argue for the justification of this approach as not only valid and credible but essential in research with these and other communities.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Bridging the gap or damming the flow? Some observations on using interpreters/bicultural workers when working with refugee clients, many of whom have been tortured.

This paper will comment upon some of the dilemmas inherent in the task of using interpreters/bicultural workers when working with refugee clients who have fled to Europe, many who have been tortured. A high proportion of refugees may not speak European languages or share explanatory health beliefs. The author would argue that these differences should not act as barriers to obtaining health and counselling services and that employing interpreters/bicultural workers may help to bridge these gaps and improve service provision and delivery.

Cultural Diversity↗
PubMed2001

Trauma and extended separation from family among Latin American and African refugees in Montreal.

Although the vast majority of refugees have suffered trauma and extended separation from their families in exile, little is known about the interactions between these two types of experience. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of data gathered from 113 refugees from Latin America and Africa suggest that the joint occurrence of trauma and separation has a significant impact on emotional distress and confirm that the family plays a key role as an anchor of emotion and identity.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

In search of community: a quest for well-being among Tamil refugees in northern Norway.

Over the past ten years, Tamil refugees have settled in marginal fishing communities along the Arctic coastline of northern Norway. This article focuses on social aspects of Tamil resettlement and on the refugees' struggle for well-being. Tamils in these communities often experience diffuse aches and pains that are difficult for health workers to diagnose and treat. This article argues for the need to understand such health problems as embedded in social relations as they are experienced and embodied by the Tamils. Case studies are presented emphasizing that Tamils experience being misunderstood as individuals and as whole persons. This article draws a picture of a social context in which Tamils are stretched and pulled in different directions in search of community and individuality. The question emerges how best to understand the process of embodiment, which may transcend the individual body.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2006

"Fewer children, better life" or "as many as God wants"? Family planning among low-income Iranian and Afghan refugee families in Isfahan, Iran.

In the West it is often assumed that religion (esp. Islam) and contraception are mutually exclusive. Yet, the Islamic Republic of Iran has one of the most successful family-planning programs in the developing world, and is often looked to as a potential model for other Muslim countries. Although Iran's family-planning program has been extremely successful among Iranians, it has been far less successful among Afghan refugees and other ethnic groups. Afghans and Iranians both seek services in Iran's public health sector for family health care, treatment of infectious disease, and childhood vaccinations. On these occasions, all adult married patients are strongly encouraged to use family planning to reduce the number of offspring. In this article, we explore how Iran's family-planning program is differentially perceived and utilized among low-income Iranian and Afghan refugee families in rural and urban locations. Particular attention is given to how different interpretations of Islam may or may not influence reproductive health-related behaviors and how cultural factors influence reproductive strategies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

An exploration of somatization among Asian refugees and immigrants in primary care.

The clinical records of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Mien patients in primary care were reviewed to determine the prevalence of somatization, its associated patient characteristics, and the manifested illness behavior. Patients in this study were generally poor, unemployed, and spoke little English. Somatization accounted for 35 per cent of illness visits. These visits were also more costly. Refugees had a higher rate of somatization (42.7 per cent) than immigrants (27.1 per cent). Although sociodemographic characteristics did not strongly differentiate patients with somatization from others, ethnicity and indicators of decreased resources such as large households with low income, households headed by single women, or a limited English proficiency were associated with somatization in certain ethnic groups. Somatization is thus an important health problem among Asian refugees and immigrants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Caregiver and elder experiences of Cambodian, Vietnamese, Soviet Jewish, and Ukrainian refugees.

Our purpose was to describe and compare Cambodian, Vietnamese, Soviet Jewish, and Ukrainian refugee caregivers and elders on life experiences, health status, and knowledge of available services. Detailed interviews were conducted with 105 female caregivers and 52 elders. Similar patterns emerged across all groups with regard to filial obligation, minimal knowledge of services, impact of immigration, and retention of cultural ties. Findings confirmed the special health and social service needs of refugee families in transition.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

Southeastern Asian refugees' presbyopia.

The onset and terminal stages of presbyopia, the loss of amplitude of accommodation of the eye associated with old age, of the Southeastern Asian refugees were investigated. Subjects examined in a 6-mo. period in an optometric practice are included. A +1.00 D add was used to define onset of presbyopia, and +2.00 to 2.50 D, the terminal stage. Only those age 42 yr. and below were analyzed, a total of 184 subjects. Of these 68 required a +1.00 D or larger add. chi 2 test of an obvious increase in add requirement from ages 30-34 to 35-39 yr. was significant, meaning that the onset of presbyopia begins at the age of 35 yr. Age 42 yr. was considered the most probable age to be the terminal stage. An unusual feature, presbyopia occurring below age 35 yr., was noted. Thus, the earlier onset and terminal stages of presbyopia of the Southeastern Asian refugees support the notion of the regional, ethnic, and environmental influences in the development of presbyopia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

The Indochinese refugee: an overview.

A review of some of the sociocultural features of Australia's recently arrived 51,000 Indochinese refugees is given. The severe disintegration of Vietnamese society by two decades of warfare would suggest the likelihood of significant psychopathology. This is supported by clinical surveys. The psychological responses to migration and resettlement, including persisting feelings of guilt, bewilderment and pining, are reviewed, with subsequent difficulties in marriage, family, employment and education. Research indicates high continuing levels of psychiatric dysfunction especially among refugees lacking social support or experiencing status dislocation. Suggestions are made for culturally acceptable forms of assessment and therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Variations in therapeutic interventions for Cambodian and Chilean refugee survivors of torture and trauma: a pilot study.

The treatment of refugee survivors of torture and trauma has attracted increasing clinical attention. The present study surveyed therapists concerning the emphasis that was placed on disclosure of previous traumatic experiences in therapy with refugees from Chile and Cambodia. Significant differences were found between the two groups with trauma story discussion being judged by therapists to be more important to treatment outcome in Chilean patients. The problem of potential therapist bias limits definitive conclusions, however we suggest that differences in cultural preparedness for psychotherapy aimed at uncovering previous traumatic experiences may be the main reason for variations in styles of therapy offered to these distinctive ethnic groups. Other possible explanations are differences in diagnostic profiles and types of previous traumatic experiences.

Acculturation↗
PubMed1994

Teachers' perceptions of maladaptive behaviour in Lebanese refugee children.

Research on the psychological status of children who are refugees from war has led to varying results. Children from war conditions or who have been subject to evacuation have been shown to have relatively low levels of disturbed behaviour, have internalising symptoms of anxiety or depression, display behaviour with aggressive features, and suffer slight psychological disturbance, depending on their caretakers' response to the stressful experience. Based on the contrasting evidence and observations within an inner Melbourne Muslim school, this study aimed to determine whether more behaviour problems existed in Muslim children from Lebanese families. Compared with other war refugee Muslim immigrant children, Lebanese children were not found to be more aggressive, but were more anxious. Lebanese males displayed more inattentive behaviour at school than non-Lebanese males. Sex differences were found in adaptive functioning within Lebanese and non-Lebanese groups. Differences in school performance and adaptive functioning were found between Lebanese and normative samples when males and females were analysed separately. These results are discussed in the context of teacher expectations and perceptions of culturally acceptable behaviour.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1996

Homeless, helpless and hospitalised: the travails of a Chinese refugee.

OBJECTIVE: To report the case of a Chinese refugee who presented with a brief reactive psychosis in the presence of significant stressors. CLINICAL PICTURE: A 30-year-old Chinese refugee, who fled alleged torture and persecution in China, presented with an acute, severe, paranoid psychosis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: This patient's psychosis was exacerbated by involuntary hospitalisation and treatment. The withdrawal of restrictive measures, cessation of medications and attention to his social needs led to an improvement in his condition. CONCLUSIONS: Involuntary treatment of a brief reactive psychosis in those who have been previously tortured may exacerbate the psychosis. Withdrawal of restrictions and advocacy for the patient may generate a therapeutic alliance with a positive outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Food habits and infant feeding in newly resettled refugee families from Chile and the Middle East.

Food habits and infant feeding patterns of 45 newly resettled refugee families from Chile and the Middle East were studied in the suburbs of Stockholm. The social background of the sample was mixed and the level of maternal education high with the exception of the rural Kurds from Turkey. Children from rural Middle East areas had been breastfed for longer periods than the children from urban areas. Solid and semi-solid foods were introduced late in the Middle East. Chileans had a characteristic meal pattern, emphasizing lunch and often replacing dinner with a light meal. Resettled Chileans and Middle Easterners had a varied and well balanced diet with the characteristics of each culture. Foods containing sucrose were consumed frequently in both refugee groups.

Adult↗