Abstract: Mental Health Issues and Service Needs for African Refugee Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (Society for Social Work and Research 22nd Annual Conference - Achieving Equal Opportunity, Equity, and Justice)

Schedule:

Friday, January 12, 2018: 9:45 AM

Marquis BR Salon 9 (ML 2) (Marriott Marquis Washington DC)

* noted as presenting author

Allison Ward, MSW, Graduate Student, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ

Jill Messing, MSW, PhD, Associate Professor, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ

Bushra Sabri, PhD, MSW, Research Faculty, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor, Anna D. Wolf Chair, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Background and Purpose:

Refugee survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) experience physical, psychological, and emotional traumas that are complicated by their experiences of violence and conflict in their country of origin and their migration to the U.S. Refugee survivors are unique from other immigrant populations in that they are resettled into the U.S. by organizations that facilitate their cultural adjustment, housing, and social services. This study aims to examine the experiences of IPV and service needs of African refugee survivors of IPV.

Methods:

Twenty-three African refugee survivors of IPV (past-year) participated in in-depth, qualitative interviews conducted in participants' primary language (i.e. Swahili, Somali, French) depending on the country of origin (i.e. Congo/Great Lakes Region, Somalia) using a translator. Two focus groups were conducted with practitioners (n=14) with two or more years of experience working with African refugee survivors. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guides. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic analysis.

Results:

Survivors reported forms of sexual (forced sex and rape) and physical violence (“hitting”, “getting beat up”, and strangulation) and psychological abuse (isolation, emotional abuse, and threats) in their intimate relationships. Sexual and physical violence were discussed in the context of cultural norms. For example, practitioners and survivors referred to forced sex as a marital expectation. One survivor, who had been hospitalized due to physical violence, said that violence is sometimes condoned when a woman has not listened to her husband or if she “fuel[s] the situation.” Service needs identified by both survivors and practitioners were related to healthcare and directly related to women’s experiences of sexual and physical violence. Specifically, survivors said that gynecological services were imperative to check for sexually transmitted infections and to make sure there were not complications from rape. Additionally, both survivors and practitioners discussed the need for access to routine healthcare services directly related to psychological abuse. Mental health services were identified as a necessity; specifically, counseling services that focused on empowerment and self-esteem. Practitioners acknowledged the importance of cultural education for refugee women on their rights in the U.S. and domestic violence law as a way to diffuse the normality of IPV. Overall, practitioners recommended cultural competence training for any practitioner who will provide services to African refugees in order to build rapport, establish trust, and provide survivor-centered services.

Conclusions and Implications:

Findings from our study indicate a need for accessible healthcare and mental health services for African refugee survivors in the U.S. However, cultural competency is key to successfully serving these women. Survivors are concerned about addressing women’s health issues such as STIs, other consequences of rape, and routine healthcare needs. A culturally competent, trauma-informed approach is crucial for healthcare services in refugee communities. Studies that examine the needs of refugee survivors are critical to understand service needs and culturally competent practice.