Syrian refugees in Canada: A qualitative report of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial adaptation
Abstract
Due to the ongoing conflict in Syria, approximately 50,000 Syrian refugees arrived in Canada between
2015 and 2020. Upon arrival, Syrians needed to find housing, employment, healthcare, and language
training. They also had to address psychosocial needs, such as cultivating social supports and
establishing a sense of safety, which are critical for mitigating trauma and stress related to resettlement.
In March 2020, the global COVID-19 pandemic was declared, and disproportionately impacted refugees
by compounding pre-existing and systemic health, social, and economic inequities. Refugees are identified as particularly vulnerable during the pandemic due to the precarious working, living, economic, and health conditions they often face. Only three Canadian studies to date have explored Syrian refugee experiences during COVID-19: one used quantitative methods, the other focused on postnatal women, and one explored housing stability. Therefore, there is a dearth of qualitative information regarding how Syrian refugees in Canada have been impacted by the pandemic, especially
regarding their psychosocial adaptation during this period. This study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for Syrian refugees in Canada and identified supports needed, from the perspectives of Syrian refugees themselves. This study is embedded within a broader community-based participatory research project investigating psychosocial adaptation with the Syrian refugee community and used qualitative description and thematic analysis to examine semi-structured interviews conducted with 10 Syrian refugees.
Notes
Key populations: Syrian refugees who now live in Edmonton, AB
Key recommendations: Assess current interventions that target the needs identified in this study, and create new initiatives to better respond to these needs.
Community organizations: Multicultural Health Brokers Cooperative
Future research / gaps identified: This study only looked at the impacts 1 year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and did not examine further impacts that may have occurred in the future.
Integration timeline: Not defined
Key findings:
The identified themes were:
1) Facing ongoing development inequity and insecurity during integration
2) Disruption of settlement, integration and adaptation due to the pandemic
3) Ongoing adaptation and resilience during integration in Canada
4) Ongoing needs and solutions for integration and adaptation
Location: Edmonton, AB
Open access: Yes