Abstract:
People from refugee backgrounds face unique hardships and challenges throughout their migration path including pre-flight and flight stressors and are vulnerable to a wide range of physical and emotional difficulties. Resettlement can be viewed as an additional trauma as during this time, children and adults alike face an array of challenges which may negatively influence long term resettlement outcomes. Children face additional stressors to their parents including educational and familial stressors, and their wellbeing is influenced by their parents’ ability to cope. The current study followed thirteen families with children aged between 7 and 12 over the first year of their resettlement into New Zealand society. Children and their mothers were interviewed separately three times over the study period using a semi-structured interview which focused on both positive and negative resettlement experiences. The interviews were transcribed and then analysed using thematic analysis. Five main themes were identified in the parent and child data: New Beginnings, Loss, Challenges of Resettlement, Support and Coping, and Advice for Others. Distinct sub-themes were identified between the child and parent data sets, indicating subtle differences in child and parent experiences of resettlement. The analysis illustrated the myriad of both positive and negative experiences involved in resettlement, and highlighted the contradictory emotions felt during this process. Language difficulties and lack of cultural knowledge had a negative impact on subjective wellbeing. Parents identified pragmatic support as being invaluable, and found emotional support through people from their ethnic community. Children found support through their school. Both children and their parents had experiences of racism and feeling isolated. Some participants started to question their cultural identity, and an acculturation gap appeared between parents and their children over the course of the year. This placed some strain on family relationships. Implications of this research are discussed, and directions for future investigations are suggested.