Abstract
Violence in Syria has displaced an unprecedented number of people from their homes. While couple/family therapy (C/MFT) scholars have explored migration experiences, particularly among refugees, there is still limited research using a bioecological framework. This exploratory study examined the experiences of Syrian asylum-seekers and refugees living in the United States using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Twelve Syrians (n = 8 men, n = 4 women) between 20 and 52 years of age (M = 35.8, SD = 10.7) were interviewed about their experiences across three stages of resettlement: (1) pre-resettlement, (2) resettlement/migration, and (3) post-resettlement. Findings suggest that the effects of conflict-induced displacement and resettlement permeate across multiple ecologies. These range from the individual and his or her interpersonal relationships to their larger community and society. C/MFTs should account for contextual factors while becoming familiar with the sociopolitical impact of displacement and resettlement in their clinical work with this population.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 209-228 |
Number of pages | 20 |
Journal | Family process |
Volume | 59 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2018 Family Process Institute
Keywords
- Asylum
- Refugee crisis
- Resettlement experiences
- Syrian refugees
- United States Refugee Resettlement Program