Immigrants as research partners: A review of immigrants in community-based participatory resaerch (CBPR)

Year Published:

Abstract

Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is uniquely suited to engage immigrants in all aspects of research, from research question development to data collection to interpretation and dissemination of results. An increasing number of research studies have utilized the methodology for exploring complex health issues for immigrants. In the current manuscript, we present a review of peer-reviewed articles in health-related research where CBPR was conducted in partnership with immigrants. We examined the role of immigrants in the CBPR process and how immigrant involvement improved/ enhanced the research rigor. A total of 161 articles met the inclusion criteria. The results of this literature review enhance our understanding of how CBPR can be used in direct collaboration with immigrants and highlights the many potential benefits for both researchers and immigrant communities.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

How can participatory research methods be used to improve research with refugees?

Participatory research methods have been successfully implemented with multiple refugee communities and have covered various topics. General principles of participatory research include viewing community members as co-researchers, creating advisory boards, involving community members in all steps of the research project, and highlighting community expertise on their own lived experiences Community empowerment and skill building should…

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Various

INTERVENTION: CBPR

OUTCOME AREA: N/A

POPULATION: Immigrants

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Strong

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2017

More STUDIES

Using culturally appropriate, trauma-informed support to promote bicultural self-efficacy among resettled refugees: A conceptual model

Resettled refugees face pressure to integrate successfully into the culture of their resettlement country within a relatively short period of time. Though successful integration is important, research has shown that ethnic identity and participation in the ethnic culture of origin play a key role in supporting the mental health of resettled refugees. This paper presents…

Working towards culturally responsive trauma-informed care in the refugee resettlement process: Qualitative inquiry with refugee-serving professionals in the United States

Trauma-informed care (TIC) approaches have gained popularity in various contexts of human services over the past decades. However, relatively little has been explored about how it is applicable and built into services for refugee populations in resettlement programs. This study explores the current status of the application of TIC in refugee-serving agencies and identifies perceived…

A multitier model of refugee mental health and psychosocial support in resettlement: Toward trauma-informed and culture-informed systems of care

Refugees endure tremendous trauma during migration and resettlement. Despite the wide range of needs and challenges refugees have, previous research on refugee mental health has concentrated on the clinical treatment of certain common mental disorders related to premigration trauma. This narrow attention creates an environment in which positive mental health and social functioning are seen…