scholarly journals Syrian Refugee Families with Young Children: An Examination of Strengths and Challenges During Early Resettlement

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Yohani ◽  
Larissa Brosinsky ◽  
Anna Kirova
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Child Outcomes ◽  
Psychosocial Adaptation ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Refugee Families

With the arrival of a large number of Syrian families to Canada, educators and other service providers are reflecting on best practices to support the psychosocial adaption of refugees from conflict settings. This article draws on a study that examined the psychosocial adaptation of Syrian refugee families with young children in Western Canada, and uses the RAISED Between Cultures framework to discuss their strengths and identified barriers during early resettlement. Using a community-based participatory research approach and critical incident method, the study involved focus groups and semi-structured interviews with ten Arabic-speaking cultural brokers who were working with Syrian refugee families using holistic supports during early resettlement. Data were analyzed thematically both across and within 10 cases, then examined in light of six factors that contribute to refugee children’s outcomes as identified in the RAISED Between Cultures framework. As key figures in refugee children and families’ adaptation to their host country, educators can draw on these findings to identify families’ and children’s’ strengths and challenges during early resettlement to ensure positive child outcomes.

scholarly journals Fathering Practices in Sweden During the COVID-19: Experiences of Syrian Refugee Fathers

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therése Wissö ◽  
Margareta Bäck-Wiklund
Keyword(s):  
Personal Responsibility ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Educational Backgrounds ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
The People ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Guidelines And Recommendations ◽  
The Impact

This article explores fathering practices among Syrian refugee families in Sweden. Syrian refugees provide an example of people who migrated because of a single major event: the war in Syria. The article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fathering practices. The Swedish COVID-19 strategy differed from those adopted in many other countries. Lockdowns were minimal and were not stringently enforced, based on the assumption that individuals would trust the authorities and would take personal responsibility for complying with their guidelines and recommendations. Previous research suggests that migrants and other vulnerable groups were not always well informed about the public policies introduced prior to and during the pandemic. The article draws on empirical data from a wider research project on the family lives of Syrian migrants in Sweden. The authors present their findings from an analysis of eleven ethnographically informed semi-structured interviews, carried out before and during the pandemic, with married fathers who had been living in Sweden for several years. In this article, they focus on three cases representing fathers with varied educational backgrounds and employment histories. These families had in common what are considered by Swedish standards to be overcrowded living conditions; they were forced to accept close family proximity, both physically and emotionally, as they no longer had the supportive networks they were used to in Syria. The three fathers were found to rely more heavily on information provided by the people with whom they were in contact in Sweden than on policies and recommendations from the authorities. These findings confirmed that the previous experiences among refugees of shifting policies regarding migration and integration had lowered their trust in government. They had learnt that they needed to rely on mutual dependency not only between spouses, but also between parents and children.

scholarly journals “I’m Thinking I Want to Live a Better Life”: Syrian Refugee Student Adjustment in New Brunswick

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Massfeller ◽  
Lyle Donald Hamm
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
New Brunswick ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Student Adjustment ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Refugee Students ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
School And Community ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Future Direction

In this paper, the authors explore the re-adjustment experiences of seven refugee students from Syria and Iraq who enrolled in a large high school in New Brunswick. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, school and community documents, and field notes. Five themes were identified and are reported and discussed in this paper. Recommendations for future direction regarding how to successfully integrate Syrian refugee children into Canadian schools are provided.

Exploring job crafting as a response to abusive supervision

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huda Masood ◽  
Len Karakowsky ◽  
Mark Podolsky
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Abusive Supervision ◽  
Job Crafting ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Qualitative Exploration

PurposeThe purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to investigate the capacity of job crafting to serve as a viable response to abusive supervision. Although considerable literature has emerged on employee reactions to abusive supervision, the role of job crafting as a coping mechanism has received relatively little attention.Design/methodology/approachUsing qualitative exploration, we conducted semi-structured interviews to examine how individuals engage in job crafting as a means to respond to or cope with abusive supervision. Critical Incident Interview Technique (CIIT) was used to obtain in-depth details of this topic. We analyzed the interview-based data using the thematic analysis (TA) technique. We also integrated topic modeling to cluster the identified categories of job crafting behaviors within our TA. The cultural context of our findings was further analyzed using interpretive phenological analysis (IPA).FindingsThe results of our thematic analysis led to four recurring themes in the interview-data: (1) Job crafting as a viable coping response to abusive supervision; (2) The type of coping relates to the type of crafting: Approach and Avoidance; (3) The role of perceived control; (4) Emotions play a role in the type of crafting employed. Findings from our IPA generated the following super-ordinate themes. (1) Job crafting fluidity, (2) effectiveness of job crafting, (3) resilience and (4) cultural dynamics.Research limitations/implicationsThis research reveals the ways in which individuals may turn to job crafting behaviors as a means to cope following instances of abusive supervision. Given the qualitative exploration of our research approach, we identify generalizability to be an issue.Practical implicationsJob crafting is a proactive phenomenon that equips employees with coping abilities in the workplace. While Wrzesniewski and Dutton (2001) suggested that job crafting behaviors tend to be hidden from management, there may be merit in organizations explicitly acknowledging the benefits of allowing employees to be active agents in their work, capable of using multiple domains of job crafting to improve their personal and professional lives (Petrou et al., 2017).Originality/valueThe current research reveals the ways in which individuals may turn to job crafting behaviors as a means to cope, following instances of abusive supervision. We further fine-grained our analysis to explicate employee job crafting behaviors in response to abusive supervision within a cross-cultural domain.

The Barriers to Education among the Palestinian Refugee Children in Malaysia (Halangan Pendidikan di Kalangan Kanak-kanak Pelarian Palestin di Malaysia)

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-351
Author(s):  
Iyad Muhammad Eid ◽  
Rohaiza Rokis
Keyword(s):  
Gaza Strip ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Alternative Pathways ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Palestinian Refugee ◽  
The Gaza Strip

This paper addresses the barriers that prevent Palestinian refugee children from obtaining education during their transition in the host country, Malaysia. It creates awareness among the Palestinian refugee community about this critical issue which threatens the future of their children who might spend many years without receiving adequate learning opportunities. The present study is based on a qualitative approach which is commonly used to explore recent phenomenon and provide an in-depth understanding of human behaviours and beliefs based on their points of view. It collected data employing semi-structured interviews with 30 Palestinian refugee families moving from Iraq, Syria and the Gaza Strip, and currently residing in Malaysia, waiting to be resettled in a third country through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Kuala Lumpur. Using thematic analysis technique, the research shows that there are economic, institutional and parental challenges preventing the Palestinian refugee children from receiving education in Malaysia. Also, it reveals how such challenges lead to negative psychological impacts among the parents and their children. Moreover, it is found that the parents did not play an adequate role in utilising potential alternative pathways to education. Finally, it offers a realistic solution to return these children to a viable education. Keywords: refugee children, education, UNHCR, MSRI, Palestinian, Malaysia. Abstrak Artikel ini membahaskan cabaran yang menghalang kanak-kanak pelarian Palestin daripada mendapatkan pendidikan semasa tempoh peralihan perpindahan mereka di Malaysia. Ini merupakan isu kritikal yang mengancam masa depan dan peluang pendidikan kanak-kanak pelarian Palestin, yang mungkin berlanjutan sehingga bertahun-tahun. Artikel ini didasarkan kepada pendekatan kualitatif yang biasa digunakan untuk mengkaji fenomena terkini dengan memberi pemahaman yang mendalam mengenai tingkah laku dan kepercayaan berdasarkan pandangan masyarakat. Kajian mengggunakan kaedah pengumpulan data melalui wawancara separa struktur dengan 30 pelarian Palestin yang berpindah dari Iraq, Syria dan Semenanjung Gaza, dan kini tinggal di Malaysia, sementara menunggu untuk ditempatkan semula ke negara ketiga melalui pejabat Pesuruhjaya Tinggi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu untuk Pelarian (UNHCR) di Kuala Lumpur. Dengan menggunakan teknik analisis tematik, hasil penyelidikan menunjukkan terdapat cabaran ekonomi, institusi dan keibubapaan yang menghalang kanak-kanak pelarian Palestin daripada menerima pendidikan di Malaysia. Selain itu, ia mendedahkan bagaimana cabaran sedemikian membawa kepada kesan negatif dari sudut psikologi di kalangan ibu bapa dan anak-anak mereka. Didapati juga para ibu bapa yang tidak memainkan peranan bagi mendapatkan pendidikan yang sepatutnya untuk anak-anak mereka. Akhir sekali, artikel ini menawarkan penyelesaian yang realistik untuk kanak-kanak tersebut mendapat pendidikan yang berdaya maju. Kata Kunci: kanak-kanak pelarian, pendidikan, UNHCR, MSRI, Palestin, Malaysia.

Bridging Cultures

2019 ◽  
pp. 235-248
Author(s):  
Einas Albadawi Tarboush
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Body ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Foreign National ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
American Schools

This literature review focuses on exploring the existing body of research that examined the schooling experiences of Syrian refugee children living in the United States. It also attempts to identify the gap previous studies did not bridge to enrich the body of knowledge. Hundreds of thousands of Syrian children and families have had to negotiate the perils of displacement. As could be expected, the education of these Syrian refugee children has been held at a crossroads as families attempt to find both security and a renewed sense of prosperity abroad. The researcher's hope is that a more in-depth analysis of the lived dynamics of Syrian refugee children in American schools will reveal something more significant in regards to how schools and their educators can expect to find success with their foreign-national student populations, as well as providing refugee families with useful tools in navigating the complexities of American public schools.

scholarly journals Brand avoidance – a services perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-196
Author(s):  
Adele Berndt ◽  
Daniel J. Petzer ◽  
Pierre Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Critical Incident ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Service Brand ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Service Brands ◽  
Advertising Avoidance ◽  
Environment Service ◽  
Insight Into

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain insight into brand avoidance of service brands and explore whether the different types of brand avoidance identified in a product context apply to service providers.Design/methodology/approachBecause of the exploratory nature of the study, the critical incident method and semi-structured interviews were used to achieve the purpose of the study.FindingsThe findings suggest that five types of brand avoidance, as identified in studies involving product brands, can be identified as impacting service brands. In addition, the findings show that advertising avoidance should be expanded to communication avoidance because of the multifarious communication influences that were identified. The study proposes a framework to deepen the understanding of the types of brand avoidance affecting service brands.Research limitations/implicationsSince the different types of brand avoidance previously identified are also evident in a services environment, service providers should develop strategies to deal with the different types of service brand avoidance. The findings are broad in scope because of the exploratory nature of the study, and a detailed analysis of each type of service brand avoidance is still required.Originality/valueThis paper focuses on the various types of brand avoidance and their manifestation in the services context. The study contributes by showing that the broader concept of communication, not only advertising, should be considered when studying brand avoidance in a service context.

scholarly journals REFUGEE CHILDREN IN CRISIS:

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4.1) ◽  
pp. 65-84
Author(s):  
Ali Jameel Faleh Al-Sarayrah ◽  
Haya Ali Falah Al Masalhah
Keyword(s):  
School Attendance ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Cost Of Living ◽  
Social Challenges ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
Educational Challenges ◽  
Cost Of Education ◽  
Labor Exploitation ◽  
Job Opportunities

This study aimed to identify the kinds of challenge encountered by Syrian refugee children who are living in Jordan but not in refugee camps. A sample of 120 Syrian refugee children residing in Amman provided the data for this study, which is based on a descriptive approach. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. We found that the main economic challenges faced by these children were low wages, labor exploitation, difficulties with paying back debts for their families, ongoing poverty, and the high cost of living in Jordan. Educational challenges were also largely economic and were mainly due to the high cost of education and the priority of work over school attendance. Health challenges too were economic and centered on the high cost of health care and the obstacles to obtaining medical insurance. Social challenges included lack of interpersonal bonds, an inability to form new friendships, and the absence of entertainment. This study suggests that providing financial support for Syrian refugee families consistent with the increasing cost of living in the hosting country would result in better lives for the Syrian children, as would creating job opportunities for heads of families in line with memoranda of agreement that Jordan has with international organizations. Further, public education for Syrian refugee children should be made free of charge, particularly in the elementary stages.

scholarly journals Addressing Syrian refugee adolescents' mental health and wellbeing: Youth-informed policy implications

INYI Journal ◽  
1969 ◽  
pp. 12-17
Author(s):  
Talia Filler
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Greater Toronto Area

Due to the conflict in Syria, Canada has welcomed over 40,000 Syrian refugees since 2015. Of those, approximately 52% were under the age of 19, falling into the adolescent age group. Adolescence is critical stage for social, psychological and biological development. As a result, many mental health challenges first emerge during this stage. Given the recent resettlement of Syrian refugees to Canada, it is essential that their mental health is appropriately addressed. This research examined potential policy changes that would help support the mental health and wellbeing of Syrian refugee adolescents given their conceptualizations of mental health. Data was collected from January to March 2018 using semi-structured interviews with Syrian refugee adolescents (n=7) and service providers (n=8) in the Greater Toronto Area. Data analysis was guided by grounded theory. The findings recommend youth-informed strategies for policy makers, service providers and researchers on how to effectively address Syrian adolescents’ mental health.

scholarly journals 63 A Needs Assessment of Syrian Refugee Families Regarding a Children & Youth Health Promotion Program in Arabic

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e26-e26
Author(s):  
Ahmad Jaafar ◽  
Eiman Al-Hashemi ◽  
Aban Bahabri ◽  
Mohammed Alrowayshed ◽  
Andrea Hunter ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Healthcare System ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Health Promotion Program ◽  
Youth Health ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Promotion Program ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
Arabic Speaking

Abstract Background Refugee families, particularly children and youth, are considered a vulnerable population. They face many health concerns, including barriers to accessing the healthcare system, which may stem from lack of familiarity with the health care system. Despite the great efforts Canada is putting forward to address newcomer needs, there are limited health promotion efforts directed at Arabic-speaking refugee families, particularly in the wake of the influx of Syrian families since 2015. In fact, there is a lack of well-structured, evidence-based, health promotion program, specifically focusing on Arabic-speaking refugee children and youth. Objectives Design/Methods We took a qualitative approach, in which semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, coded and analyzed using a qualitative framework technique. Six focus groups were conducted, in which a total of 25 Arabic-speaking refugee parents were interviewed by Arabic-speaking interviewers. Results Among the 25 participants, 18 reported that they were not aware of existing health promotion presentations in our local area. Moreover, none of the 7 participants who were aware of such presentations have ever attended any. The major reason reported is not being invited to attend. Additionally, of the 25 participants, 24 have expressed their desire of having a child and youth health promotion program in Arabic. Among the most requested topics to be presented include medication coverage and pharmacy access in Canada, first-aid management, dental care, interpretation services, healthy lifestyle, fever measurement and management, prevention of unintentional injuries, navigating the Canadian healthcare system and mental health. Moreover, several factors were described to facilitate the families’ attendance to the health promotion presentations. These include presenting about topics of relevance to the refugee families, having the presentations in Arabic, providing parking spaces, having someone to accompany the families’ children during the presentations, arranging the presentations over the weekend or after 5 pm during the weekdays and holding the presentations in a place close to where the families live. Conclusion Arabic-speaking refugee families describe strong interest in attending in-person health promotion sessions in Arabic, focusing on child and youth health, and outline diverse topics of interest.

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