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Through their Eyes: A Photovoice and Interview Exploration of Integration Experiences of Congolese Refugee Women in Indianapolis

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  • Jyotika Saksena

    (University of Indianapolis)

  • Shannon L. McMorrow

    (Western Michigan University)

Abstract

The goal of this study was to engage with adult women refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to understand their perceptions and experiences with integration, resettlement, and health in Indianapolis. The focus of this paper is the findings related to integration. The study was conducted in partnership with a refugee resettlement agency who identified women from DRC as a population of interest since they are a relatively new refugee group to both the USA and Indiana. A community engaged approach was used to conduct a qualitative study utilizing both the Photovoice method and semi-structured interviews with 16 women. Triangulated analysis of interview transcripts, photos, and captions created from the Photovoice discussions revealed five major themes of language acquisition, lack of stable jobs, transportation, affordable housing, and social support. Our study concludes that emphasis on early self-sufficiency negatively affected this group of refugees’ language acquisition, which in turn adversely affected multiple other aspects of the integration process including access to well-paid jobs, affordable housing, and transportation. The authors argue that emphasis on social support, both within the Congolese refugee community and the local population, along with group learning can play a critical role in improving the integration experience of women refugees.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:21:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s12134-019-00672-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-019-00672-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Castleden, Heather & Garvin, Theresa & First Nation, Huu-ay-aht, 2008. "Modifying Photovoice for community-based participatory Indigenous research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(6), pages 1393-1405, March.
    2. Wang, Caroline & Burris, Mary Ann & Ping, Xiang Yue, 1996. "Chinese village women as visual anthropologists: A participatory approach to reaching policymakers," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 42(10), pages 1391-1400, May.
    3. Wallerstein, N. & Duran, B., 2010. "Community-based participatory research contributions to intervention research: The intersection of science and practice to improve health equity," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(S1), pages 40-46.
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    Cited by:

    1. Monica Roman & Vlad I. Roșca & Smaranda Cimpoeru & Elena-Maria Prada & Ioana Manafi, 2023. "“A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words”: Youth Migration Narratives in a Photovoice," Societies, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, August.
    2. 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.

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