Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Theses
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ItemRefugee youth, social inclusion and health( 2012)In recent years, refugees settling in Australia have come predominantly from countries that have experienced protracted conflict and consequent displacement of populations. Ensuing disruption to education and to family and social networks results in particular barriers to social inclusion for young refugees and there is a corresponding need for evidence-based policies and practices to support successful settlement for this population. Social inclusion is a key social determinant of health. Accordingly, this PhD research addresses the question: How can policy-makers and services promote positive resettlement experiences and social inclusion for refugee-background youth in Australia? Its overall aim is to contribute to a deeper understanding of the resettlement experiences of recently arrived refugee-background youth in Australia, and provide policy-relevant evidence to inform service provision for this population. This aim and research question entails the following further objectives: • To review the existing evidence relating to issues of social inclusion, social connectedness, employment and education opportunities for young refugee settlers; • To bring the voices of refugee-background young people themselves into the knowledge constructed around them; • To use theories of social inclusion and social capital to inform understanding of their experiences; • To assess the impact of a support program for recently arrived refugee youth on their resettlement experiences. The project comprised mixed methods evaluation research with young people aged 16 to 24 from refugee backgrounds, who were participating in an innovative intervention called Ucan2, designed to improve settlement outcomes for this group. The research focus is on experiences of resettlement; the mediating role played by social connections; education and employment experiences, aspirations and outcomes; and the impacts of program participation. Theories of social inclusion and social capital - along with Ager and Strang’s (2008) conceptual framework for understanding integration - are used to frame the investigation. Research methods included participant observation, social network mapping, demographic and wellbeing surveys, focus groups and individual interviews. Research findings indicate that young humanitarian entrants to Australia are generally resilient but face threats to wellbeing and inclusion associated with poverty, separation from family and difficulties encountered within unfamiliar education systems. The findings make a contribution to conceptual understandings of settlement experiences and demonstrate a compelling rationale for providing targeted and intensive support such as that offered by the Ucan2 program to young people during the early years of resettlement. They also add weight to recent calls for more flexible and expanded family reunion policies.