Acculturative Challenges and Opportunities Among Arab-Speaking MENA Refugees in the United States

Fam Soc. 2024 May 7. doi: 10.1177/10443894241236885. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study identifies acculturative challenges and opportunities experienced by Arab-speaking MENA refugees in the United States. The research team conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with refugee parents (11 fathers and 13 mothers) in Arabic. The findings reveal two main categories: (a) acculturative challenges and (b) opportunities and hopes for a better future in the United States. Refugees described several acculturative challenges, including the language barrier, unrealized mental health issues, intimate partner violence (IPV), and the added struggle of COVID-19. Refugees faced several challenges, but their stressors were mitigated by their hope for a better future for their children. Findings suggest practitioners must introduce early interventions targeted at family conflict resolution in Arabic. Future research should explore culturally acceptable mental health interventions and gender-specific resources for IPV.

PMID:41112517 | PMC:PMC12530480 | DOI:10.1177/10443894241236885