Understanding immigrant settlement services literacy in the context of settlement service utilisation, settlement outcomes and wellbeing among new migrants : a mixed methods systematic review

Successful settlement and integration are key objectives of migration policy in most host countries, yet ‘immigrant settlement services literacy’ (ISSL) and settlement service utilisation are poorly understood. This review investigates ISSL, a conceptual framework where new migrants develop abilities to know, understand, access, critically navigate, and advocate for more effective settlement services. The systematic review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO. Eight databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO, ProQuest Social Science, Scopus, SocIndex and Web of Science) were searched and 105 studies were included for narrative synthesis. One study used the term ‘settlement service literacy’, while the other studies referenced proxy terms for ISSL. All studies reported indicators of the basic level of ISSL, as well as reporting barriers and enablers to accessing services and information. The studies were grouped into four service domains of health (n=70), settlement services (n=7), language services and information literacy (n=7), and social support services (n=21), to identify service specific factors. Language proficiency was identified as the main barrier (96%) to accessing information and services, with related factors represented across all service domains. Enabling factors to gaining knowledge about information and services were identified in 32% of studies. Individual factors in combination with systemic, service, and practical barriers were found to impact negatively on new migrants’ ability to obtain knowledge about, gain access to, and utilise settlement services. Understanding ISSL in the context of new migrants’ resettlement process has important implications for reducing structural inequalities, and for ensuring successful settlement outcomes and wellbeing.