Vicarious Impacts of Working with Refugees and Asylum Seekers: An Integrative Review

Abstract

A majority of people from a refugee background endure cumulative traumatic experiences that are compounded by acculturative distress, which disrupts their systems of safety, support, sense of justice, and identity. Literature highlighting the impacts of consistently bearing witness to traumatic experiences and addressing the multiple needs of refugee survivors of trauma is limited. This integrative review is based on a systematic database and citation search in Scopus, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs and PubMed and identified four interrelated themes, as a sequel to refugee trauma work: Being challenged by refugee narratives, Altered beliefs and attitudes, Benefits or rewards, and Coping strategies. The review highlights that extant literature in the field of refugee trauma does not sufficiently capture unique, experiential complexities in the sector. It identifies the need for additional research with methodological rigor and a comprehensive theoretical framework to capture the varied vicarious impacts of working with refugee survivors of trauma.

Keywords:

• Vicarious impacts
• integrative review
• refugees
• asylum seekers
• torture and trauma