Multicultural Meanings of Social Support among Immigrants and Refugees
Multicultural Meanings of Social Support among Immigrants and Refugees
复制标题
移民和难民社会支持的多元文化意义
DOI：
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发表时间：
2008
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
D. Spitzer
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
M. Stewart;Joan M. Anderson;M. Beiser;Edward Mwakarimba;A. Neufeld;L. Simich;D. Spitzer
加拿大仍然是一个突出的移民和难民接收国，在世界范围内的移民，重新安置，并寻求庇护，但有一个差距，我们的理解这些新来者的社会支持的具体含义和他们的支持需求和资源的看法。本研究旨在了解社会支持对加拿大移民和难民的意义，并探讨正式支持的类型和充分性。第一阶段对60名服务提供者和决策者进行了个别访谈，第二阶段对120名移民和难民（60名中国人，60名索马里人）进行了个别访谈。这些研究结果的影响，在小组访谈（第三阶段）的政策决策者，倡导者，服务提供者和管理人员。这项调查揭示了难民和移民面临的许多相互关联的挑战，如语言困难、服务信息不足、健康状况不佳、种族主义、需要再培训、拒绝外国学历、失业、社会孤立、社会不安全、社交网络减少和家庭冲突。这项研究还阐明了文化和社会经济决定的社会支持和寻求支持的战略的看法。个人资源有限和社交网络日益缩小，是应对融合和定居挑战的一个障碍。在许多情况下，新移民寻求帮助的努力受到系统性障碍的阻碍。新来的人有大量的支助需求没有得到满足，而服务提供者由于官僚作风和资源限制，无法充分满足这些需求。影响移民和难民生活的各部门的政策不足以弥补他们在支助方面的不足。这些支助差距阻碍了新来者的成功定居和融入。促进文化相关支持的政策和方案，以及解决移民和难民支持需求的组织之间的部门间合作是及时的。
Canada continues to be a prominent immigrant and refugee-receiving country in worldwide migration, resettlement, and search for refuge, yet there is a gap in our understanding of these newcomers’ views of the specific meanings of social support and their support needs and resources. The purpose of this study was to understand the meanings of social support for immigrants and refugees in Canada, and to explore the types and adequacy of formal supports. Individual interviews were conducted with 60 service providers and policymakers initially (Phase 1), and 120 immigrants and refugees (60 Chinese, 60 Somali) in the second phase. The implications of these findings were elicited in group interviews (Phase 3) of policy decision-makers, advocates, service providers, and managers. This investigation revealed many interrelated challenges facing refugees and immigrants such as language difficulties, inadequate information on services, poor health, racism, needs for retraining, rejection of foreign qualifications, unemployment, social isolation, social insecurity, dwindling social networks, and family conflicts. The study also illuminated culturally and socio-economically determined perceptions of social support and support-seeking strategies. Limited personal resources and dwindling social networks are an impediment to coping with integration and settlement challenges. In many cases, newcomers’ efforts to seek help are thwarted by systemic obstacles. Newcomers experienced extensive unmet support needs, which service providers cannot adequately meet due to bureaucratic and resource constraints. Policies in various sectors that affect the lives of immigrants and refugees are inadequate for bridging their support deficiencies. These support gaps hinder the successful settlement and integration of newcomers. Policies and programs fostering culturally relevant support, and inter-sectoral collaboration among organizations addressing the support needs of immigrants and refugees are timely.