Navigating Between Control and Autonomy: Recently Arrived Iraqi Refugees’ Perceptions Regarding Honor, Well-Being, and Risk for Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

Iraqi refugees face considerable challenges when migrating to countries where individual freedom has greater priority than the group-oriented honor culture. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with Iraqi male and female refugees residing in Sweden regarding honor, current well-being, and experiences of intimate partner violence. Feelings of psychological distress and worry about the future were frequently expressed. Men feared loss of status and unemployment, whereas women had more positive expectations regarding increased autonomy. Upholding honor norms and power shifts within the relationship could potentially lead to family conflicts and/or violence, with increased risk for adverse mental and somatic health consequences.

KEYWORDS:

• Iraqi refugee
• psychological distress
• gender norms
• intimate partner violence
• honor culture
• patriarchy

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the European Refugee Fund.