A scoping review of interventions delivered by peers to support the resettlement process of refugees and asylum seekers

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Abstract

Background: Refugees and asylum seekers face many social and psychological challenges on their journey to resettlement in host countries. Interventions and programmes designed to assist in these challenges are necessary. The aim of this scoping review is to conduct a systematic search of the literature as it pertains to interventions delivered by peers to refugees and asylum seekers during the resettlement process. Methods: A PRISMA-compliant scoping review was conducted. Four databases, Scopus, Embase, Ebsco, and ScienceDirect were searched for peer-reviewed articles published in English from 2000 2021. Studies were included if they reported on interventions, outcomes or the training received by adult peers to support refugees and asylum seekers during the resettlement process. Results: Of an initial 639 journal articles retrieved, 14 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Most included studies were conducted in Western high-income countries, except for one. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of the nationalities of peers and those receiving peer interventions; the outcomes reported on; the content of interventions; and the methodologies used. Conclusions: Findings suggest that peer interventions seem to be effective in addressing many of the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers. Community integration, acculturation and psychological distress are some of the key benefits. When such interventions are co-produced in participatory research involving refugees, asylum seekers, and the civil society organisations that support this population, they are naturally culturally responsive and can therefore address issues relative to different ethnic needs during the resettlement process.

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

How can participatory research methods be used to improve research with refugees?

Participatory research methods have been successfully implemented with multiple refugee communities and have covered various topics. General principles of participatory research include viewing community members as co-researchers, creating advisory boards, involving community members in all steps of the research project, and highlighting community expertise on their own lived experiences Community empowerment and skill building should […]

About this study

AGE: Adults

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Free

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: United States

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: Various

INTERVENTION: PAR

OUTCOME AREA: N/A

POPULATION: Refugees

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Strong

TYPE OF STUDY: Systematic review

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2022

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