Pathways to Prosperity: A Mixed Methods Study on Institutional and Community Wealth Attainment Among Forced Migrants

Background: Forced migrants (refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees) are tasked with achieving rapid economic self-sufficiency following resettlement. Research on this phenomenon often utilizes basic metrics such as employment status and income. Research focusing on the importance of co-ethnic social networks in economic integration processes such as securing a job or starting a business point to a need for a deeper understanding of the role co-ethnic networks play in the economic integration of this population, particularly its role in wealth attainment and overall resettlement and well-being. Building on the existing literature on community wealth, this modified mixed methods study aims to: (1) provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of community networks and its association with wealth attainment, and (2) examine the association between wealth attainment and overall well-being.

Methods: This study employed a modified exploratory sequential mixed methods design in two phases. In Phase I, qualitative data was collected through interviews and focus groups with forced migrants (N=13). Recruitment of participants was facilitated through purposive snowball sampling. Thematic analysis and grounded theory methods were used to analyze the data, identifying five overarching themes that situated community wealth as a mediating force. The qualitative findings, then, informed the development of a hypothesized conceptual mediation model, which was tested in Phase II of the study using the New Immigrant Survey (N=433) with pertinent variables: Community wealth (alpha = .73), Assets (alpha = .73), and overall well-being (measured using one question).

We hypothesized that, [H1] community wealth has a direct effect on overall well-being and [H2] an indirect effect on overall well-being mediated through assets. The mediation model was tested using PROCESS macro, a conditional process analysis technique with three covariates included in the model (boot=5,000; seed=5432).

Results: Five themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) Obstacles to wealth attainment, (2) Community wealth: Expanding solidarity in new spaces, (3) Transnational ties: Building wealth near and far, (4) Planting roots and nurturing hope: Wealth attainment and placemaking, and (5) A call to action: Promoting prosperity and expanding community strengths. The mediation model informed by the qualitative data showed that community wealth significantly affected assets (a = .231, p = .004), and assets significantly affected overall well-being (b = .164, p = .007), showing a full mediation. While there was no direct effect of community wealth on overall well-being (c’ = -.039, p = .697), there was a significant indirect effect of community wealth on overall well-being mediated through assets (point estimate = .038, 95% bootstrap CI: .007 to .086), confirming [H2].

Implications: Findings affirmed the crucial role of community wealth and asset accumulation in overall well-being among forced migrants. Our study provides implications for research, programs, and policies. Recognizing the importance of mutual aid activities in meeting the financial needs of forced migrants, exploring pathways for providing formal opportunities to engage in community wealth attainment, and co-developing programs with community leaders and ethnic community-based organizations will support financial capability and asset building opportunities that reduce poverty and financial marginalization and bolster economic justice.