Adjustment after Forced Migration and Resettlement: Perspectives of Refugee Service Providers and Community Leaders

Abstract

We examined 30 service providers’ and community leaders’ perspectives regarding refugees’ resettlement to a new country. We explored domains refugees navigate during adjustment after resettlement utilizing a multidisciplinary resource-based approach. Seven themes emerged including, (a) English language learning, (b) employment opportunities, (c) US education system, (d) safety and neighborhood violence, (e) transition of place, (f) US health care system, and (g) US citizenship. Examining systemic barriers that influence refugees’ lives may expand our understanding of refugees’ adjustment and resilience after resettlement. We provide recommendations for research and strengths-based service provision tailored to support resource access and success after refugee resettlement.

Keywords:

• Refugees
• resettlement
• service providers
• adjustment
• resilience
• strengths
• systemic issues
• resources

Acknowledgments

We want to acknowledge our ongoing collaboration with Jewish Vocational Service in helping us with this study, as without their support, this study would have genuinely not been possible.