The Resettlement Journey: Understanding The Role of Social Connectedness on Well-being and Life Satisfaction among (Im)migrants and Refugees: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In the context of rising global migration and/or forced displacement, there is a pressing need to consider the well-being and life satisfaction of (im)migrants and refugees during resettlement. Research highlights the importance of social connectedness for (im)migrants and refugees during the resettlement phase. Yet, a critical gap remains in our understanding of the key characteristics through which social connections exert their influence on well-being and life satisfaction. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the existing international literature on social connectedness and its impact on the well-being and life satisfaction of (im)migrants and refugees in post-migration contexts. Our analysis of 43 studies finds that social connectedness, in the form of social support and social networks, is beneficial for well-being and life satisfaction during resettlement. In addition to social support from individual network ties, community engagement can also enhance well-being by facilitating a sense of belonging. All 43 studies focused on psychological well-being and 69.8% relied on cross-sectional data. The findings of this review emphasise the need for longitudinal studies and standardised measurement tools to capture the dynamic interplay between social connectedness and well-being across various domains (psychological, physical, general/subjective) in migrant populations. We draw on the findings to propose a new conceptual model of the dynamic association between social connectedness and well-being/life satisfaction that seeks to explore these relationships in future empirical studies.

A Scoping Review of Instruments Used in Measuring Social Support among Refugees in Resettlement

“…Social support is essential to well-being and integration in the resettlement context [ 29 , 30 , 33 , 34 ]. Resettled refugees contend with physical displacement from their countries and regions of origin, loss, and trauma associated with armed conflict and political instability, separation from family and community, complex asylum processes, and challenges of resettling in a new social environment [ 35 , 36 ].…”