Transition in Occupations of Refugees During Resettlement

Background: Human displacement is a social problem that has occupational implications. There is a significant gap in the research focusing on the refugee experience and the impact of this experience on their occupations as they transition to living in the US. This study seeks to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of this transition to the US on a broad array of occupations. Method: This research is a qualitative study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with two participants who have legal status as refugees living in the US. Results: Thematic analysis generated three themes: (a) contextual barriers to occupation, (b) belonging, and (c) adaptation. Refugees experienced a variety of contextual barriers, both systemic and socio-cultural, that impacted their ability to engage in meaningful occupation leading to a lack of belonging. Refugees adapted to these barriers by adapting their occupations. In addition, the researchers found social networks to be important for positive occupational engagement throughout country transition. Conclusion: This research adds to occupational science literature regarding the occupational impact of the refugee experience, as well as supporting occupational therapists to address issues of occupational deprivation with refugee populations

Transition in Occupations of Refugees During Resettlement

Purpose: In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide (UNHCR, 2017). California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000 (Igielnik & Krogstad, 2017). Limited research has been conducted in the United States (U.S.) focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. Smith (2012) explored the adaptation of cultural weaving among Karen refugees to maintain their previous occupations and the impact of daily weaving on their lives within Western culture; however, the study focused only on work occupations. This study sought to capture the experience of refugees and the impact of their transition on a broad array of occupations. Adding to occupational science literature regarding the occupational impact of the refugee experience, as well as aiding in addressing issues of occupational justice (Townsend, & Wilcock, 2004). Methods: This research was a qualitative-descriptive, phenomenological study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Questions were guided by Person-Environment-Occupation model (Law, et al., 1996) and Transitions Theory (Blair, 2000), to address personal and cultural values, environments where occupations are performed, and occupational patterns to identify changes in meaningful occupations due to the refugee process. Participants have legal status as refugees, have been in the U.S. between one and five years, resettled in Northern California, are at least 18 years old and were not required to speak English. As this study aimed to capture a broad experience of transition and limit confounding factors influencing how the participant responded to changes in occupations, participants could be of any ethnicity, country of origin, or gender. Two participants were recruited through snowball sampling. Interviews were audio taped and transcribed. Interviews were coded using Thematic Analysis to generate common themes across cases (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Rigor was strengthened through member checks and peer review. Findings: Through analysis of the interviews, the researchers found five major themes: contextual barriers, internal factors, adaptation, belonging, and transition. The first four themes form a loop and influence each other both positively and negatively and, ultimately, affect engagement in occupations. Transition is the theme that envelops and influences the whole. Using these five themes, the researchers developed the Transition-related Effects on Refugee Occupations (TERO) Model. Key findings include that refugees may experience more meaning and role change/loss in their occupations, rather than adoption of new occupations. Additionally, the researchers found social network to be important for positive occupational engagement throughout country transition. Implications: As occupational therapists, the tendency towards working with refugee populations may be to focus on their transitions to new occupations. However, data from this study indicates that it may be more pertinent to address role and meaning change/loss in current occupations.https://scholar.dominican.edu/ug-student-posters/1082/thumbnail.jp

Transition in Occupations of Refugees During Resettlement to the United States

Intro & Background - The United Nations began to recognize and protect refugees in the 1950s. In 2016, there were 22.5 million refugees worldwide. The United States (U.S.) has accepted refugees from many countries since the 1930s, and in 2016 received approximated 85,000 refugees for resettlement. California resettled just over 5,000 of those 85,000. Purpose- Limited research has been conducted in the U.S. focusing on the refugee experience; furthermore, there is a significant gap in research regarding the impact of the refugee experience on the occupations of refugees as they transition to living in the U.S. This study will capture the refugee experience to better inform the relationship between the refugee as client and the OT as provider. Subjects - Subjects must be refugees, settled in the U.S. between one and five years, living in Northern California, and are not required to speak English. Methods - The research will be a qualitative-descriptive study, using semi-structured interviews. Each participant will be interviewed for up to two hours, and will be asked a series of questions as guided by the P.E.O. model, targeting their occupational patterns and identifying changes in meaningful occupations due to the refugee process. Potential Outcomes - In depth information about occupations through transition. The researchers expect to find variance in lifestyle adjustment and changes to meaningful occupations. This will inform OT interventions; maximizing their effectiveness and potentially decreasing ethical dilemmas for future refugees experiencing issues of occupational justice