VISTAS Online is an innovative publication produced for ACA by Dr. Garry R. Walz and Dr. Jeanne C. Bleuer of Counseling Outfitters, LLC. Its purpose is to provide a means of capturing the ideas, information and experiences generated by the annual ACA Conference and selected ACA Division Conferences. Papers on a program or practice that has been validated through research or experience may also be submitted. This digital collection of peer-reviewed articles is authored by counselors, for counselors. VISTAS Online contains the full text of over 900 proprietary counseling articles published from 2004 to 2017.
2016
The Case for Resilience in African Refugees: A Literature Review and Suggestions for Future Research
B. N. Kiteki
2016
The current literature review aims to examine research findings on the various risks experienced by African refugees, address sources of resilience in African refugees, and provide suggestions for future research. Because of the occurrence of mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression in some refugee populations, a medicalized approach and trauma-focused treatment models have dominated research with this population. At the same time, there has been an emergence of research examining resilience in refugees. Some researchers have argued that, despite the negative experiences during different phases of migration, not all refugees develop mental health problems. Instead, and in spite of the risks, some refugees manage to be resilient. Against this background, this review seeks to (a) examine what is known about resilience in African refugees and (b) provide suggestions for future research.
Keywords: African refugees, risk factors, resilience, protective factors, social support, family, community, religion