The parenting process in Syrian refugees: A grounded theory study.

Abstract

A key concern of peace psychology is to develop a robust evidence base that informs those working with groups who have experienced the impact of war and conflict (Cohrs et al., American Psychologist, 2013, 68, 590). With rates of refugees forcibly displaced now the highest on record the development of psychosocial interventions designed to promote well-being is essential (Hynie, Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 2018, 24, 265; UNHCR, UNHCR projected global resettlement needs, 2020). This is highly relevant for refugee parents who must parent through multiple adversities and transitions. Effective parenting is an important protective factor for the psychological functioning of refugee children. The design of support for families, to be available during displacement and the integration process, is essential because inclusion and participation in new settings Syrian refugee parenting through transition; from being forced to leave Syria to eventually being resettled in the U.K. In-depth interviews with six professionals who worked with refugee parents and six Syrian refugee parents were conducted and analyzed. Secondary data with narratives from three Syrian parents and transcripts from a parent focus group of nine parents were analyzed. We theorized an active process of resilient parenting in recovery. The process comprised of three phases: Contracting, reforming, and moving forward. Parents moved between phases at different points in their journey. A core role for language was identified. The findings suggest that the development and use of resilience-based narratives may be helpful. This would represent a relatively resource-light intervention to support parental capacity. Public Significance StatementA central aim of peace psychology is to produce evidence and theory that could mitigate the impact of conflict and violence. An important area is in policy development and the provision of services to address the impact of conflict upon refugees and their children. We are currently witnessing what has been referred to as a displacement crisis, with the highest level of forced displacement on record. Approximately half of the current refugee population are children under 18 years of age. There is an increasing global concern for this group. Quality of parenting is recognized as an important protective and promotive factor for their well-being. Our study offers a theory that conceptualizes the parenting process of Syrian refugees forced to flee their country and resettle in the U.K. Our findings provide support for the development of resilience-based interventions to support refugee parents' capacity. These approaches could be informed by relational and solution-focused concepts. Interventions that draw upon the strength-based narratives that parents already use with their children would be relatively resource-light. They would move away from a narrow, distress focus by including protective and promotive factors.