Challenges and coping strategies of refugees: Exploring residual Liberian refugees’ experiences in Ghana

Mavis Dako-Gyeke, Ernestina Adu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study explored the challenges and coping strategies among Liberian refugees in Ghana. Using a qualitative research design, 40 participants were purposively recruited at a refugee settlement in Ghana. Four focus group discussions and sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted. The focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, coded, and analyzed thematically based on the objectives of the study. The findings indicated that the refugees experienced challenges related to disruption in social networks, disputes over resources, high rate of unemployment, and increased level of criminal activities. The study also revealed that the refugees included in this study resorted to religion, spirituality, and income earning activities as their coping strategies. The findings offer insights for social workers, policy actors, and future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)96-112
Number of pages17
JournalQualitative Social Work
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Coping
  • faith
  • focus group
  • migration
  • refugees
  • spirituality

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Challenges and coping strategies of refugees: Exploring residual Liberian refugees’ experiences in Ghana'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this