Article(electronic)May 7, 2024

Acculturative Challenges and Opportunities Among Arab-Speaking MENA Refugees in the United States

In: Families in society: the journal of contemporary human services

Childress, Saltanat; Shrestha, Nibedita; Seff, Ilana; Hagedorn, Aaron; McKay, Mary; Stark, Lindsay

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Abstract

The study identifies acculturative challenges and opportunities experienced by Arab-speaking MENA refugees in the United States. The research team conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with refugee parents (11 fathers and 13 mothers) in Arabic. The findings reveal two main categories: (a) acculturative challenges and (b) opportunities and hopes for a better future in the United States. Refugees described several acculturative challenges, including the language barrier, unrealized mental health issues, intimate partner violence (IPV), and the added struggle of COVID-19. Refugees faced several challenges, but their stressors were mitigated by their hope for a better future for their children. Findings suggest practitioners must introduce early interventions targeted at family conflict resolution in Arabic. Future research should explore culturally acceptable mental health interventions and gender-specific resources for IPV.

Languages

English

Publisher

SAGE Publications

ISSN: 1945-1350

DOI

10.1177/10443894241236885

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