Mothers & Daughters: Redefining Cultural Continuity Through South Sudanese Women’s Artistic Practices

Refugees demonstrate high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological disorders. The recent increase in forcible displacement internationally necessitates the understanding of factors associated with refugee mental health. While pre-migration trauma is recognized as a key predictor of mental health outcomes in refugees and asylum seekers, research has increasingly focused on the psychological effects of post-migration stressors in the settlement environment. This article reviews the research evidence linking post-migration factors and mental health outcomes in refugees and asylum seekers. Findings indicate that socioeconomic, social, and interpersonal factors, as well as factors relating to the asylum process and immigration policy affect the psychological functioning of refugees. Limitations of the existing literature and future directions for research are discussed, along with implications for treatment and policy.

Participatory research is sometimes difficult and risky, but there is a paucity of opportunities – and some reluctance – to reflect on its challenging aspects. In this article, we present subjective accounts of our everyday experiences of conducting participatory research as women researchers. We focus on four themes from our combined research experiences to explore some of the frustrations we encounter in participatory research. We argue that it is crucial to identify, reflect upon and address such aspects in academic outputs to broaden debates and scholarly discussions. We offer these reflections, and related strategies, as a contribution to critical debates on participatory research practice.