Application of conservation of resource theory with camp refugees

Abstract

This study based on Conservation of Resources theory provides and explanatory model to understand how resources in camps can help refugees to augment their resiliency level to face subsequent stressful life experiences. The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 120 families for this project which took place in Sri Lankan Tamil refugee camps in Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. Summary of the key themes identified in this study are availability of formal and informal resources; utilization of available support from formal and informal resources by refugee families; and resources accessibility and resource loss threat. Responses from participants’ utilization of support for daily stress, family conflict and health care showed that there is a synergy between these needs which requires a collaborative effort. In summary, results from this study indicate the need to expand our thoughts from prioritizing daily stress as the only resource refugees need to survive in host countries to include other less-obvious, yet clearly significant, needs.

Keywords:

• refugee resources
• camp refugees
• conservation of resource theory

Acknowledgement

National institute of Health Fogarty International fully funded this research K01 TW 009648 – Testing a refugee family dynamics model: A study with Sri Lankan Tamils in camps.