Nineteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Refugee pathology research has refined our understanding of the complex transmigration stressors and family health over the past decade. Research studies proved that resource access and utilization could significantly impact refugees’ migration stressors and health. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the availability of accessible resources in the camp to address migration stressors and their health. Given the dearth of information about the adjustment of Sri Lankan refugees in Indian camps, this mixed method paper examines the association between migration stressors, mental health problems, and availability and accessibility of resources among camp refugees. Researchers conducted a quantitative study with a random sample of 120 camp refugee parents and a qualitative study with 35 participants. Researchers used the Brief Symptoms Inventory and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, adapted the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Questionnaire to measure transmigration stress, and quantified the structured resource utilization interviews. Our qualitative and quantitative analyses confirm that transmigration stress is associated with deleterious health outcomes (somatic complaints, depressive symptoms, hostility). Our study also found that resource utilization partially attenuated the relationship between transmigration stressors and health outcomes. The current study’s findings emphasize that focusing solely on pre-migration stress may fail to detect the crucial relationships between transmigration stress and health outcomes among transmigratory refugees. Findings also underscore the urgency to provide adequate, accessible resources to refugees inside the refugee camp that can promote overall well-being.