What’s this project about?
Our team will assess the integration of new parent Syrian refugees resettling in Canada by studying their transition post migration and comparing it to families that remain residing in Lebanon. Specifically, the study will examine Syrian refugees’ challenges of new parenthood, expectations of life in Canada and perceived quality of life pre-versus post migration, and family members’ shift in roles and family functioning, and assess their changes over time. The study will also determine the extent and quality of social support available to mothers and fathers as well as examine the domains of integration of Syrian refugee parents.
How will we go about doing this project?
Individual one-hour interviews, using a structured questionnaire, are conducted separately for the mothers and the fathers with a fluent Arabic-speaking RA. Additional voluntary participation involves a one-hour focus group session discussing the research themes and topics with other participants. Finally, participants may take part in a short Arabic-speaking documentary that will be developed to target refugees who are migrating to Canada as well as newcomers.
Who can be involved?
Syrian refugee parents of at least one young child, ages 4 years or younger, who have resettled in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada.
What will we do with our research findings?
The results of this study will provide us with a deeper understanding of the experiences of refugee parents in Canada, and help us improve programs and services catered towards them. This will help experts who work with refugees prior to resettlement prepare the applicants for their move to Canada.
Want to know more about this project?
For more information, please feel free to contact Dr. Hala Tamim (htamim@yorku.ca), Principal Investigator on the study.