Marital and Familial Strengths and Needs: Refugees Speak Out

Abstract

This study describes the marriage and family relationships of refugees as they transition through resettlement. Through in-depth interviews with 31 refugees representing 12 countries, participants describe their lives and experiences in their own “voices.” The findings reflect two broad themes that either support or impede self-sufficiency: (1) the internal or intimate dynamics of refugee lives, and (2) external and systems dynamics. Qualitative data analysis procedures yield findings that illuminated strengths of refugees, the challenges that they face, and suggestions for informative and responsive policy and program changes based on this knowledge.

Keywords:

• refugees
• refugee resettlement
• social work
• marriage
• family