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Factors Shaping the Lived Experience of Resettlement for Former Refugees in Regional Australia

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Smith

    (Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Ha Hoang

    (Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Tamara Reynish

    (Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Kim McLeod

    (School of Social Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Chona Hannah

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Stuart Auckland

    (Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia)

  • Shameran Slewa-Younan

    (Translational Health Research Institute and School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC 3053, Australia)

  • Jonathan Mond

    (Centre for Rural Health, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia
    Translational Health Research Institute and School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia)

Abstract

Refugees experience traumatic life events with impacts amplified in regional and rural areas due to barriers accessing services. This study examined the factors influencing the lived experience of resettlement for former refugees in regional Launceston, Australia, including environmental, social, and health-related factors. Qualitative interviews and focus groups were conducted with adult and youth community members from Burma, Bhutan, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iran, and Sudan, and essential service providers ( n = 31). Thematic analysis revealed four factors as primarily influencing resettlement: English language proficiency; employment, education and housing environments and opportunities; health status and service access; and broader social factors and experiences. Participants suggested strategies to overcome barriers associated with these factors and improve overall quality of life throughout resettlement. These included flexible English language program delivery and employment support, including industry-specific language courses; the provision of interpreters; community events fostering cultural sharing, inclusivity and promoting well-being; and routine inclusion of nondiscriminatory, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed practices throughout a former refugee’s environment, including within education, employment, housing and service settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Smith & Ha Hoang & Tamara Reynish & Kim McLeod & Chona Hannah & Stuart Auckland & Shameran Slewa-Younan & Jonathan Mond, 2020. "Factors Shaping the Lived Experience of Resettlement for Former Refugees in Regional Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:2:p:501-:d:308297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mi-Kyung Hong & Reshma E. Varghese & Charulata Jindal & Jimmy T. Efird, 2017. "Refugee Policy Implications of U.S. Immigration Medical Screenings: A New Era of Inadmissibility on Health-Related Grounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Watters, Charles, 2001. "Emerging paradigms in the mental health care of refugees," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 52(11), pages 1709-1718, June.
    3. Ziersch, Anna & Due, Clemence, 2018. "A mixed methods systematic review of studies examining the relationship between housing and health for people from refugee and asylum seeking backgrounds," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 199-219.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ana-Marija Tomasi & Shameran Slewa-Younan & Renu Narchal & Pilar Rioseco, 2022. "Professional Mental Health Help-Seeking Amongst Afghan and Iraqi Refugees in Australia: Understanding Predictors Five Years Post Resettlement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Clare Hawkes & Kimberley Norris & Janine Joyce & Douglas Paton, 2021. "Resettlement Stressors for Women of Refugee Background Resettled in Regional Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.

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