Attachment, Trust, Distress and Help Seeking in Refugees and Humanitarian Entrants

Research output: Book/Research ReportResearch report

Abstract

Migration is a life event. Pre and Post migratory experiences have been the focus of migrant literature in the past decade. Duration and type of traumatic experiences contribute to significant distress, impairment in functioning, feelings of sadness, loneliness, and sometimes guilt. As migration to Australia has been steady and on the rise, there is a need for service providers and practitioners to enhance their competencies in dealing with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) clients. Post-migration resettlement could be challenging due to destruction of the self, significant impairments in support systems, loss of significant others ( family, friends), breakdown of attachment relationships, lower self-esteem, discrimination, language, educational & employment challenges and above all loss of culture to name a few. In order to provide appropriate services to migrants, it is important to identify and assess their needs, to be able to understand their losses, be aware of cultural differences and their preferred support systems and barriers to seeking help. Using qualitative (through focus groups) and quantitative (completing surveys) approaches to assess their needs, challenges and barriers to help seeking, this project explored the: 1. Relationship between attachment styles, levels of trust, emotional and psychological distress in addition to help seeking intentions of refugees and humanitarian entrants. 2. Identified barriers to help-seeking. 3. Identified gaps in the services and support systems. 4. Suggest measures to promote wellbeing.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationPenrith, N.S.W.
PublisherUniversity of Western Sydney
Number of pages57
Publication statusPublished - 2008

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