Grant: Project Grant

Canada provides protection to refugees from overseas through two different programs. In one, the government selects and supports refugees for the first year of settlement: government assisted refugees (GARs). In the other, support is provided by volunteer groups: private sponsored refugees (PSRs). Private sponsorship is unique to Canada but is of increasing interest internationally. Yet, despite resettling a third of refugees as PSRs, there is little research comparing GAR and PSR effectiveness in supporting the integration of refugees into society. Resettled refugees have poorer health than host populations. Studies show that social integration affects wellness but we do not have much research examining how the experiences of settlement and integration contribute to the long-term health of refugees. Refugees face unique challenges prior to migration, including exposure to trauma, prolonged uncertainty, hazardous living conditions, and disrupted education trajectories. In the short-term, security, less hazardous living conditions, and access to health services result in improvements in resettled refugees' health. However, research with other immigrant groups in Canada shows that in the long term, health and well-being are affected by newcomers' sense of inclusion, respect and belonging in their new country. Thus, early improvements in refugee health may be followed by deterioration if social integration is not successful. This pan-Canadian study will compare how GAR and PSR resettlement programs support long-term social integration pathways for refugees and the impact of these pathways on physical and mental health. We will collect data from adult resettled refugees arriving between 2015 and 2017 in 3 of Canada's largest refugee resettlement provinces: British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec. By understanding what leads to successful outcomes we can improve refugee settlement services and policies, and ultimately the health and well-being of refugees.