Coping with migration and resettlement distress among marginalized refugee families in the u.s.: A gap in refugee resettlement policy

Mental health care for conflict affected populations including refugees – in spite of the high prevalence of common mental disorders in these populations – is often deprioritized due to limited resources in transit settings. Such neglect of mental health care, however, continues upon resettlement in developed host countries partially due to the dilatory response to refugee needs in law and policy. Overemphasis on rapid self-sufficiency in the Refugee Act of the U.S., for example, has been criticized for the marginalization and isolation of refugees while failing to address mental health need in traumatized communities. The current study reviews U.S. refugee resettlement policy from a public health perspective with a focus on the relation between such policies, mental health needs, and issues in resettlement. Based on modified analytic induction of in-depth interviews with marginalized Hmong and Somali refugee families and community stakeholders, this research reveals how refugee marginalization is associated with policy gaps and transition of resources in refugee communities at various levels. This research underscores the importance of resettlement policy focusing on culturally responsive and appropriate services considering various challenges and mental health needs among refugees as well as cultural unique coping strategies of refugee families in socioecological contexts. Other implications will be also discussed to improve resettlement outcomes and social integration as well as mental health in refugee communities in the U.S.