Mangrio issop 2018

MANGRIO, Elisabeth and ZDRAVKOVIC, Slobodan, 2018. Recently arrived refugee families and the experience of having an introduction plan and being in the resettlement process in Sweden: A qualitative study. In: ISSOP2018 - Early Childhood Intervention: Science, Systems and Policies - Promoting Healthy Development of Vulnerable Children [online]. Bonn, Germany: DGSPJ. 29 September 2018. p. 1–120. [Accessed 4 November 2018]. Available from: https://www.issop.org/cmdownloads/mangrio-issop-2018/

Background: Earlier studies have shown that there are different factors related to how well recently arrived immigrants establish themselves in the recipient countries which could be physical, psychologically as well as social and mental factors. The introduction plan that started in Sweden 2010 and is a part of the public support system for recently arrived migrants to Sweden. As the plan requires active participation of the partners, the simultaneous establishment of childcare and school start for children might provoke frustration. The aim was thereby to illuminate the experience of having an introduction plan and being in the resettlement process for recently arrived immigrant-families to Sweden.

Method: A qualitative study was conducted through interviews with recently arrived immigrant families being in the resettlement process. Fifth-teen families from Syria were interviewed and the interviews were analyzed using Attride-Stirling`s approach for doing thematic analysis.

Results: Families experienced stress due to long waiting times for residence permits and for having to struggle to find stable housing conditions. They seemed to partly establish themselves through their children going to school and getting themselves into Swedish studies as well as striving to find a job. They were having challenges with adjusting socially and with missing family members left behind.

Discussion: The authorities in Sweden and in other recipient countries should put emphasis and enhance efforts for more stable and appropriate housing as well as to strive for having families reunited. This will enhance the integration process as well as the wellbeing of the families.

Authors, Institutions:

Elisabeth Carlson, Care Science, Malmö University, Sweden

Slobodan Zdravkovic, Care Science and Malmö Institute for Studies of Migration, Diversity and Welfare, Malmö University, Sweden

https://www.dgspj.de/wp-content/uploads/ISSOP-2018-Abstract-Mangrio.pdf