We sought to gain an understanding of refugee women’s experiences through an interpretative phenomenological methodology. Challenging the lack of research on group-based informal supports for refugee women, we examined the role of playgroup in contributing to social support, the effects of playgroup across all ecological systems, and mothers’ experiences of perinatal mental health issues (PMHI). A focus group and follow-up interviews with the women, staff, and stakeholders gave the opportunity to share their narratives. These information-rich descriptions of their experience helped us explore complex and multifaceted concepts, including PMHI and social support, to show how refugee women ascribe meanings to PMHI within a facilitated playgroup context. In applying Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (BEST), we found that the women’s microsystems were lost in re-settlement, and they experienced feelings of shame and stigma around PMHI through macrosystem influences. Playgroup became a supportive mesosystem, where the women came together through shared understanding and were able to build new microsystems. Our research will assist in advocating for playgroups and other informal support programs by examining in detail how they can provide valuable insight for other refugee women experiencing PMHI in similar circumstances.
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: A Systematic Review of Psychological Interventions / Unbegleitete minderjährige Flüchtlinge: Eine systematische Übersicht über psychologische Interventionen. Kindheit und Entwicklung
In 2014, 34,300 applications for asylum were placed by unaccompanied refugee minors in 82 countries. Unaccompanied refugee minors are at a very high risk for psychological disorders, since the absence of a parent is associated with developmental risks that are further increased owing to experiences made while on flight. Given the current refugee situation in…