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Article
Integration or Building Resilience: What Should the Goal Be in Refugee Resettlement?
Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies (2018)
  • Nicole Dubus, San Jose State University
Abstract
The article presents a qualitative study of 110 providers and administrators of refugee services from four countries: United States, Switzerland, Germany, and Iceland. Of the total participants, 28 were male and 82 were female. The sample consisted of 83 social workers who provided direct services to refugees and 27 administrators who managed the programs. The interviews occurred over a period of 3 years from January 2014 to January 2017. The participants described what they perceived to be the goals of resettlement and the successful outcomes of their work with refugees. Findings show that providers and administrators varied in what they believed to be the goals and outcomes, with three main differences emerging: (1) lessening the transition burden; (2) acquisition of language and securing self-sufficient employment; and (3) enhancing the integration of resilience within the refugee. These differences are discussed in terms of how they differ in resources required and in outcomes. The implications of these differences are addressed.
Keywords
  • refugee,
  • resettlement,
  • providers,
  • administrators,
  • Iceland,
  • Germany,
  • Switzerland,
  • United States,
  • language,
  • employment,
  • resilience,
  • support services
Publication Date
2018
DOI
10.1080/15562948.2017.1358409
Citation Information
Nicole Dubus. "Integration or Building Resilience: What Should the Goal Be in Refugee Resettlement?" Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies Vol. 16 Iss. 4 (2018) p. 413 - 429 ISSN: 1556-2948
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/nicole_dubus/38/