Community coping strategies in response to hardship and human rights abuses among Burmese refugees and migrants at the Thai-Burmese border: A qualitative approach

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Journal

Family and Community Health

Volume

39

Issue

2

DOI

10.1097/FCH.0000000000000096

Keywords

Coping behavior; Human rights; Mental health; Refugees

Abstract

© Copyright 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. We conducted 10 focus groups (n = 49) with community members and key informant interviews (n = 28) to explore hardships and community coping strategies for sequelae of abuse among Burmese refugees/migrants in Thailand. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for major themes. In Burma, they universally experienced human rights violations and economic hardship. Hardships continued in Thailand through exploitation and threat of deportation. Coping was achieved through both personal and community-based mechanisms including self-reflection, sharing experiences, spirituality, and serving their community. Western psychosocial counseling, although available, was used infrequently. Effective psychosocial support often originates from the community and should be supported by international organizations.

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