Post-Migration Challenges, Family Resources, & Social Support Among Bhutanese-Nepali Refugees: Results From A Community Needs Assessment
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Date
2018-04-03
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Abstract
Background: Over 15,000 Bhutanese-Nepali refugees have resettled in Columbus, Ohio since 2008. The majority of research on this new community has focused on mental health and the rate of suicide among the Bhutanese. However, there is little known about post-migration challenges that Bhutanese-Nepali refugees face after resettlement.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the data collected from the parent study’s community health needs assessment in order to determine the effects of post-migration living difficulties (PMLD), social support, and family resources on Bhutanese-Nepali refugees in Columbus, OH.
Methods: Bilingual Nepali-speaking interviewers conducted a community needs assessment with Bhutanese-Nepali women and men, aged 18 years and older living in Columbus, OH. The questionnaire was conducted face-to-face in 2015. The questionnaire included topics of healthcare practices, cancer knowledge and screening behavior, mental health issues and preferences for mental health services, social support, family resources, and barriers to health and social services and resources. For the purpose of this study, secondary data analysis examined post-migration living difficulties, social support, and family resources. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, t-test) were conducted using SPSS ver. 24.
Results: A total of 201 participants were surveyed. More than half were men (51.7%) and 53.7% were between the ages of 25-44 years. More than 75% were on Medicare/Medicaid, 43.1% have a total family income of less than $15,000, and while over 50% are employed full-time, almost 35% are not working. The most commonly reported PMLD was communication and language difficulties with 54.2% of participants reporting it being somewhat of a problem to a serious problem. The second most reported PMLD was difficulty adjusting to the weather/climate with 40.3% reporting somewhat of a problem to a serious problem. Finally 39% of participants reported being unable to find work and not having enough government help with welfare somewhat of a problem to a serious problem. Looking at family resources, there is a significant difference between men and women in terms of monetary resources, t(197)= 1.12, p= 0.019. There is also a significant difference in perceived social support between men and women, t(197)= 1.30, p= 0.003.
Conclusions: Results from this study provides greater insight into the cultural and linguistic needs of Bhutanese-Nepali refugees who have recently resettled in Columbus. Language and communication is a major barrier to finding employment and resources. Despite these challenges, participants reported that they have strong social support, which may ease some of the burden of resettlement. Future studies may want to examine ways to help keep strong social networks together in refugee communities to eliminate post-migration challenges.
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Humanities (The Ohio State University Denman Undergraduate Research Forum)