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Though goals for integration drive resettlement policy and practice, the concept of integration from the perspectives of refugees is not sufficiently understood. This study examined meanings of integration among 88 refugee participants who lived in the U.S. for an average of eleven years. Thematic analysis generated themes reflective of the meaning participants made of integration as a concept as well as a lived experience: (1) voicing uncertainty, (2) social engagement, (3) expressions of welcome, (4) choosing "here," and (5) maintaining cultural identities. Findings emphasize the social aspects of integration, which can be further incorporated within policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among refugees residing in countries of first asylum, such as Malaysia, high rates of psychological distress call for creative intervention responses. Aims: This study examines implementation of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model promoting emotional well-being and access to services. Method: The one-session intervention was implemented in community settings by refugee facilitators during 2017 to 2020. 140 Participants including Afghan (n = 43), Rohingya (n = 41), and Somali (n = 56) refugees were randomized to receive either the intervention at baseline, or to a waitlist control group. At 30 days post-intervention, all participants completed a post-assessment. Additionally, after completing the intervention, participants provided feedback on SBIRT content and process. Results: Findings indicate the intervention was feasible to implement. Among the full sample, Refugee Health Screening-15 emotional distress scores reduced significantly among participants in the intervention group when compared to those in the waitlist control group. Examining findings by nationality, only Afghan and Rohingya participants in the intervention condition experienced significant reductions in distress scores compared to their counterparts in the control condition. Examining intervention effects on service access outcomes, only Somali participants in the intervention condition experienced significant increases in service access compared to the control condition. Conclusions: Findings indicate the potential value of this SBIRT intervention, warranting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many refugee communities faced intensified economic and social challenges. This longitudinal study began three years prior to the COVID pandemic and examined the effects of COVID on refugee outcomes in the United States including employment, health insurance, safety, and discrimination. The study also examined participant perspectives on COVID-related challenges. Participants included 42 refugees who resettled approximately three years prior to the onset of the pandemic. Data were collected at six months, 12 months, two years, three years, and four years postarrival, with the pandemic beginning between years 3 and 4. Linear growth models examined how the pandemic impacted participant outcomes over time. Descriptive analyses examined perspectives regarding pandemic challenges. Results indicated that during the pandemic, employment and safety significantly decreased. Participant concerns regarding the pandemic centered on health, economic challenges, and isolation. Attention to refugee outcomes during the COVID pandemic highlight the need for social work practitioners to promote equitable access to information and social supports, particularly during times of uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refugee resettlement in the US is built on the aim of assisting newcomers to quickly establish self-sufficiency. As resettlement opportunities shrink, securing national borders has become a U.S. priority. These aims neglect the reasons why people seek resettlement. Conducted at a time of change in U.S. resettlement, interviews with eighty-eight refugees resettled at least 5 years prior examined resettlement priorities and perceptions of successful resettlement. Participants prioritized safety, educational opportunity, financial stability, and social connections. U.S. resettlement policies and programmes can be strengthened through an increased focus on safety, education, and community building, in addition to the existing emphasis on economic outcomes. Additionally, resettlement services can expand to assist newcomers in navigating these priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]