A Critically Informed Perspective of Working with Resettling Refugee Groups in Australia

Westoby, Peter; Ingamells, Ann Terese

doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcp084

Cited by 37 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…During resettlement, refugee children must navigate a new society and culture, adjusting to school systems and peer groups in a foreign language (Bates et al., 2005). Australian communities into which refugee children are settling are sometimes hostile and discriminatory towards asylum seekers and refugees (Westoby & Ingamells, 2010). It has been suggested that the strict regulatory framework applied by the Australian government (Christie & Sidhu, 2006), representations in the Australian media (O'Doherty & Lecouteur, 2007) and the prevalence of misinformation in Australian society (Pedersen, Watt, & Hansen, 2006) have provided fuel for prejudicial attitudes about refugees and asylum seekers.…”

Section: The Refugee Journeymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While a full discussion of this issue is beyond the scope of this article, at its core, the anthropological approach has the concern that psychiatric diagnosis may replace appropriate community, social, or political action (de Anstiss, Ziaian, Procter, & Warland, 2009). Some Australian writers have also argued that a focus on psychiatric diagnosis prioritises practical needs as secondary in the eyes of refugee clients, who may take on a “victim” role as it allows access to more resources, and service providers (Colic‐Peisker & Tilbury, 2003; Westoby & Ingamells, 2010). Hodes (2000, 2002) helpfully argues that diagnostic and political perspectives are not mutually exclusive.…”

Section: Psychological Distressmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental health issues among refugee children and adolescents

Henley

Robinson

2011

Clinical Psychologist

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Each year, several thousand child refugees are resettled in Australia. These children have faced numerous stressors and are at increased risk for developing mental health problems including traumatic stress and a variety of emotional, behavioural, and educational difficulties. The diverse contexts in which refugee children may come into contact with mental health clinicians include school, child and adolescent mental health services, child protection services, and hospitals. This article summarises current knowledge regarding the mental health of refugee children and adolescents, distilling what is of particular relevance to Australian service providers. The stressors encountered by refugee children, psychological outcomes, appropriate interventions, and barriers to accessing services are discussed.

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Section: The Refugee Journeymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Psychological Distressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health issues among refugee children and adolescents

Henley

Robinson

2011

Clinical Psychologist

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“…It is essential that the short and long-term impacts of trauma are understood and acknowledged: however, this may inadvertently deny children and young people's agency and resilience (Chase, 2010). Migration researchers Anderman (2002), Westoby and Ingamells (2010) and Zack-Williams (2006) argue that current constructions of trauma and its impacts are from the perspectives of global north nations and that what counts as trauma is for migrant peoples themselves to define.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migration Perspectives in Social Work Research: Local, National and International Contexts

Cox

Geisen

2014

British Journal of Social Work

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Within social work, it is often assumed that migration is a signifier for social deprivation; however, closer examination of migrant populations in different European countries reveals tremendous heterogeneity. For example, recent migration patterns in Germany, Switzerland and the UK show that inward migration is characterised also by highly qualified migrant peoples. Against this background, the question arises as to what are the relevant issues which make migration a question for social work and what subjects should be addressed in social work research? This paper begins with conceptual considerations on the complexity of migration. Examining examples of social work research into migration, children and young people in the English and German languages from a cross-national systematic review, undertaken by the authors and spanning 2000-13, the authors identify the main foci of social work migration research thus far. Findings from the selected studies demonstrate a paucity and generality of social work research into migration and that the predominant focus is migration as a challenge for certain groups of migrant peoples, such as people seeking refuge or asylum. The authors argue that changes to practices in social work migration research, incorporating local, regional and international perspectives, are needed.

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“…Social work has critiqued the dominance of the medical model in response to trauma, arguing that the wider context of clients" lives is largely neglected because the hegemonic medical paradigm is wedded to traditional psychiatry (Westoby and Ingmells, 2010;Knight, 2015;Quiros and Berger, 2015). This does not mean that social work rejects the medical model or neurodevelopmental approaches; instead it asserts that a range of knowledge is important to address the holistic needs of individuals and communities.…”

Section: Social Work Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%