Long-Term Settlement of Refugees: An Annotated Bibliography of New Zealand and International Literature

Key Results

Governments, academics and researchers from the NGO sectors of several other countries that receive quota refugees are considering similar issues, sometimes as part of a wider region (for example, the European Union or Nordic States) or at a subnational level (for example, particular states within Canada or Australia). This is evident in the range of research over the past decade aimed at describing the experience of refugees and/or host country members and identifying useful indicators or the factors that act as barriers or facilitators to long-term settlement, integration or social cohesion. Some research has a broad focus on the total experience of refugees, while other research focuses on a single or subset of elements (for example, housing or health and wellbeing). Some research focuses specifically on theexperiences of particular groups of refugees based on their nationality and/or ethnicity, gender, age (including children, youth, the 1.5 generation refugees and older refugees) or those with disabilities.

Researchers have moved towards adopting concepts that envisage integration or social cohesion as a two-way process, involving changes by both refugees and host country members. They also recognise that models of integration or social cohesion need to accommodate the fact that many refugees will want to maintain and develop their ethnic and cultural identity, language(s) and ties with family, friends and others from their home country who may be based around the world. These activities need not be seen as undermining efforts to settle in the host country.

Researchers have developed and are using frameworks for measuring an overall picture or elements of the success of longer-term settlement. This has identified gaps in the availability of refugee-specific data at a national, regional or institutional level.

Some elements clearly have a stronger influence than others. Employment and ability to communicate in the host country language clearly interact and are critical to accessing suitable housing and health services and to having the means (both financial and time) to participate in social and civic activities in the host country and transnationally. The nature of employment in the host country in comparison to employment in the country of origin, the experience of racism and other forms of social exclusion and changes in family dynamics may adversely affect refugees’ sense of belonging to the host society.

Access to employment is affected by the overall availability of employment in a particular locality. Dispersal policies that resettle refugees in smaller centres where there are fewer jobs limit their employment opportunities. Refugees’ position in the labour market may be influenced by the level of host country language acquisition relative to the requirements of a job, recognition of and ability to use qualifications, and the networks that refugees have access to.

The literature on health and wellbeing identifies the lack of an evidence base on the health outcomes of migrants in general as well as on identifying refugees, as distinct from other migrants and asylum seekers, and specifically on the longer-term needs of settled ethnic communities. A number of studies focus on initial screening processes and report the prevalence of diseases and health issues on arrival, but the longer-term effects of these do not receive much attention. A body of research has focused on the effects of trauma on health and wellbeing. Some research suggests worse health outcomes for refugees who may, as a group, experience higher levels of psychological disorders or direct physical consequences of torture, unrecognised or managed chronic conditions (for example, hypertension or diabetes), poor oral health, infectious diseases and delayed growth and development in children. Discrepancies in health and wellbeing status may also relate to conditions in the host country, for example, due to poorer housing and position in riskier areas of the labour market, where there is greater exposure to potential work-related illness or injury, and the effects of isolation and separation from family. Better systems of data collection, provision of culturally appropriate services (involving medical staff receiving special training as well as the availability of interpreters) and better information on availability and nature of health service provision are among suggestions for improving health status.

A lack of data on the geographical mobility of refugees and new migrants and on the tenure and quality of housing is also reported. Studies suggest that refugee housing experiences are often characterised by instability and vulnerability, with outcomes influenced by government policies (for example, dispersal), the limited resources of new migrants and refugees, the policies and practices of housing providers and the search for a safe supportive environment. Findings suggest that refugees value the social and cultural aspects of housing, including safety and security and the importance of continuity of relationships associated with being settled in an area. New Zealand research suggested that refugees experience difficulty finding housing due to cost, a lack of English language ability and finding large enough houses.

Finally, some literature reports on the factors that may be specific to or differ between particular demographic categories of refugees. Findings suggest that there is need for more attention to be paid to gender issues, that women may experience discrimination for being part of a visible minority (which may be increased by dress), as well as for being women, and may be restricted to poorly paid parts of the economy. In addition, cultural and religious factors may limit participation in social, educational, physical and artistic activities. Fewer studies have specifically examined factors for men, but these have generally focused on the negative psychological effects due to experiencing changes in status in employment or within the family, and/or in response to meeting pressures to also provide for transnationally-based family.

The integration experience has also been explored by age group, with a focus on both younger and older people. Concepts of what constitutes being an older person may vary between cultures. Older people may also experience difficulties with changes in family dynamics because of their need to depend on younger members of the family who have become more readily fluent in the host country language. Some studies recommend recognition of older refugees in the development of service delivery policy and practice. Some research has focused on the experiences of refugee children and young people, particularly in the education system. Research has identified issues in the language acquisition and its effect on schooling and access to higher education, experiences of racism or discrimination and conflicts between the expectations of peer groups, educational institutions and family.

Issues canvassed in the research on refugees with disabilities include a lack of interpreters (including sign language interpreters), mobility issues and a lack of social networks.