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Perceptions of Resettled Refugee Congolese Women: Maintaining Cultural Traditions during Resettlement

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  • Chelsey Kirkland

    (Center for Public Health Systems, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
    College of Public Health, Kent State University, 800 Hilltop Dr., Kent, OH 44242, USA)

  • Na’Tasha Evans

    (School of Health Sciences, College of Education, Health, and Human Services, Kent State University, 1225 Theatre Dr., Kent, OH 44242, USA)

  • Kamesha Spates

    (Department of Sociology and Criminology, Kent State University, 700 Hilltop Dr., Kent, OH 44242, USA
    Department of Africana Studies, University of Pittsburgh, 230 S. Bouquet St., Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA)

  • Cedric Mubikayi Kabasele

    (College of Public Health, Kent State University, 800 Hilltop Dr., Kent, OH 44242, USA)

Abstract

Conflict-displaced refugees have increased significantly globally. The Democratic Republic of Congo is the leading country with refugees in the United States, where many resettle in Ohio. Women refugees are highly vulnerable, yet little literature has focused on them. Furthermore, maintaining cultural traditions can provide comfort during the tumultuous resettlement process. Therefore, this study used mixed methods to understand the perceptions of Congolese refugee women on maintaining cultural traditions during resettlement in Ohio. Translator-assisted, orally administered demographic survey and face-to-face interviews were conducted among resettled Congolese refugee women ( n = 20) 18 and older, who arrived in the United States from 2011 to 2018, and were currently receiving Ohio resettlement agency assistance. Researchers applied descriptive coding and thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes. Three themes were identified among the resettled Congolese refugee women regarding maintaining cultural traditions in the United States. The three themes comprised (1) clothing and dressing, (2) food, and (3) parenting style. Our work examined resettled refugee Congolese women’s perceptions of maintaining their culture after resettling in Ohio. These study findings could assist community engagers with insights and practical recommendations on supportive services for resettled Congolese women and a deeper understanding of complex acculturative situations facing them during resettlement.

Suggested Citation

  • Chelsey Kirkland & Na’Tasha Evans & Kamesha Spates & Cedric Mubikayi Kabasele, 2022. "Perceptions of Resettled Refugee Congolese Women: Maintaining Cultural Traditions during Resettlement," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:24:p:16714-:d:1001638
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jyotika Saksena & Shannon L. McMorrow, 2020. "Through their Eyes: A Photovoice and Interview Exploration of Integration Experiences of Congolese Refugee Women in Indianapolis," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 529-549, June.
    2. Sarah Elizabeth Neville & Kira DiClemente-Bosco & Lila K. Chamlagai & Mary Bunn & Jordan Freeman & Jenna M. Berent & Bhuwan Gautam & Abdirahman Abdi & Theresa S. Betancourt, 2022. "Investigating Outcomes of a Family Strengthening Intervention for Resettled Somali Bantu and Bhutanese Refugees: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Joyce, Lisa & Liamputtong, Pranee, 2017. "Acculturation stress and social support for young refugees in regional areas," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 18-26.
    4. Rousseau, C.Cécile & Rufagari, Marie-Claire & Bagilishya, Déogratias & Measham, Toby, 2004. "Remaking family life: strategies for re-establishing continuity among Congolese refugees during the family reunification process," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(5), pages 1095-1108, September.
    5. Chansophal Mak & Elizabeth Wieling, 2022. "A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Family Interventions for Trauma-Affected Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-18, July.
    6. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2019. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2018," Economic Research Report 301167, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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