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Cultural Brokering with Syrian Refugee Families with Young Children: An Exploration of Challenges and Best Practices in Psychosocial Adaptation

Author

Listed:
  • Sophie Yohani

    (University of Alberta)

  • Anna Kirova

    (University of Alberta)

  • Rebecca Georgis

    (Bath Spa University)

  • Rebecca Gokiert

    (University of Alberta)

  • Teresa Mejia

    (University of Alberta)

  • Yvonne Chiu

    (Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative)

Abstract

This study examined the challenges and critical psychosocial needs of Syrian refugee families with young children in Western Canada, and the role of cultural brokering in facilitating their psychosocial adaptation. Using a community-based participatory research approach and an adapted critical incident method, the study involved nine Arabic-speaking cultural brokers who were working with Syrian refugee families using holistic supports during early resettlement. Data collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews are presented in five illustrative case studies, and reveal that Syrian families struggled with feeling safe and secure in Canada, adjusting to the changing roles in the family, and trying to find meaning in their lives. These struggles were attributed to families’ overall challenges navigating various domains of integration (i.e., health, social services, and education), resulting in a heavy reliance on cultural brokers for social linking and bonding activities (Ager & Strang, Journal of Refugee Studies, 21, 166–191, 2008), including connecting families to needed supports and helping family members build relationships with one another. Challenges faced by families mapped onto the five psychosocial needs of Silove’s (Intervention, 11, 237–248, 2013) Adaptation after Persecution and Trauma (ADAPT) conceptual framework as well as most of the core domains of Ager and Strang’s (Journal of Refugee Studies, 21, 166–191, 2008) Social Integration framework. This study provides evidence for the use of both of these frameworks in further studies involving Syrian refugee populations; they proved useful for understanding how families, over time, can develop necessary skills to engage on their own in linking activities with various Canadian institutions and bridging activities with communities at large.

Suggested Citation

  • Sophie Yohani & Anna Kirova & Rebecca Georgis & Rebecca Gokiert & Teresa Mejia & Yvonne Chiu, 2019. "Cultural Brokering with Syrian Refugee Families with Young Children: An Exploration of Challenges and Best Practices in Psychosocial Adaptation," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 1181-1202, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:20:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s12134-019-00651-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-019-00651-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303857_0 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Sophie Yohani, 2015. "Applying the ADAPT Psychosocial Model to War-Affected Children and Adolescents," SAGE Open, , vol. 5(3), pages 21582440156, September.
    3. Seddio, K., 2017. "Trauma, psychopathology, and the refugee crisis: A call to action," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 107(7), pages 1044-1045.
    4. Parker, E. & Margolis, L.H. & Eng, E. & Henríquez-Roldán, C., 2003. "Assessing the capacity of health departments to engage in community-based participatory public health," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(3), pages 472-476.
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    Cited by:

    1. José Juan Carrión-Martínez & Stefania Ciaccio & María del Mar Fernández-Martínez & Carmen María Hernández-Garre & María Dolores Pérez-Esteban, 2021. "The Socio-Educational Adaptation of Secondary School Migrant Students in Sicily: Migrant Generation, School Linguistic Mediation and Teacher Proactivity Factors," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-13, July.

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