Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
refugee families, successful resettlement
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Social Work
Abstract
Successful refugee adaptation to life in the United States (U.S.) has traditionally been measured in terms of economic self-sufficiency and English language acquisition. While these indicators may relate to independence and acculturation, major questions remain about how refugees fare in the U.S. Recent programmatic efforts incorporate attention to integration, wellbeing, empowerment, and mental health, but these concepts are not consistently defined or measured. This mixed methods study involved interviews with refugees who have been in the U.S. for at least 5 years, to examine which outcomes they consider key to their family’s successful adaptation to life in the U.S. BYU undergraduate and graduate student research assistants, involving interpreters when needed, met with refugees to discuss their successes, as well as the factors that helped them reach success. They also examined perspectives and experiences related to integration, the current political climate, community services, family, religion, gender, and overall adaptation.
Recommended Citation
Shaw, Stacey
(2019)
"Pathways to success: Refugee families define successful resettlement outcomes,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2019:
Iss.
2019, Article 180.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2019/iss2019/180