The Life Experiences of Refugees in Canada: A Comprehensive Scoping Review to Identify Unmet Needs and Barriers
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The Life Experiences of Refugees in Canada: A Comprehensive Scoping Review to Identify Unmet Needs and Barriers Setareh Ghahari 1 & Josie Lui 1 & Satmeen Nagra 1 & Sara Morassaei 1,2 # Springer Nature B.V. 2019
Abstract Although resettlement allows for refugees to live in a safer place, there are many issues that accompany this drastic life change. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine the literature on the life experiences of refugees in Canada to identify the challenges that they face and their unmet needs, as well as potential sources of support. Five databases were systematically searched for articles published in the last decade that included data on the life experience of refugees in Canada. Findings were analysed in depth to generate emergent themes and synthesize common findings across studies. The review found 26 articles on the life experiences of refugees, 23 of which were qualitative studies, as well as 1 quantitative and 2 mixed methods studies. The main challenges experienced by refugees included loss or change in identity, gender role conflicts, language barriers, lack of recognition of previous education or experience, and perceived lack of support and discrimination. This comprehensive review highlights the unmet needs and complex barriers that are experienced by refugees in Canada and directs attention to priorities for future research. Differences in language, culture, and social support lead to challenges in integration and accessing services among refugees in Canada, which may have potential policy implications. Keywords Refugees . Integration . Well-being . Post-migration stress
* Setareh Ghahari [email protected]
1
School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada
2
Practice-based Research and Innovation, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Canada
Ghahari S. et al.
Introduction Refugees are individuals who are driven from their homes and communities due to fear of persecution and are forced to seek protection in another country (Government of Canada 2017). Canada and many other countries offer permanent resettlement to a limited number of refugees each year. According to the 2018 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration, in 2017, Canada received 44,000 refugees resettled as permanent residents (Hussen 2018). Due to rising conflict in many parts of the world, a notable increase in the number of refugees to Canada is expected. Although permanent resettlement allows for refugees to live in a safer place, they must still cope with any premigration traumatic experiences, as well as the hardships of establishing a new life in a different social and cultural environment (Gangamma 2018). Refugees resettling in Canada receive financial assistance to support their initial settlement for up to 1 year or until they become self-sufficient, whichever comes first (Government of Canada 2017). Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is the department of the Canadian government that provides protection and facilitates the arrival o
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