Citation

Khawaja NG, White KM, Schweitzer R, Greenslade J. Transcult. Psychiatry 2008; 45(3): 489-512.

Affiliation

School of Psychology and Counselling at Queensland University of Technology,Carseldine, Australia. n.khawaja@qut.edu.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, McGill University, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1363461508094678

PMID

18799645

Abstract

A qualitative approach was used to interview 23 Sudanese refugees residing in Brisbane, Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine the participants' pre-migration, transit and post-migration experiences. Refugees reported traumatic and life-threatening experiences during the pre-migration and transit phases, and difficulties with resettlement during the post-migration phase. Nevertheless, participants reported using a number of coping strategies across all phases, including: reliance on religious beliefs, cognitive strategies such as reframing the situation, relying on their inner resources, and focusing on future wishes and aspirations. Social support also emerged as a salient coping strategy. The findings are useful for mental health professionals as they highlight the difficulties experienced by refugees across phases of migration as well as strategies they use to manage these traumas and stresses.

Language: en