Family Separation and the Impact of Digital Technology on the Mental Health of Refugee Families in the United States: Qualitative Study

• DOI: 10.2196/14171
• Publication Date: 2019-07-07T21:16:48Z
• Authors: Sayyed Fawad Ali ...; Julia Meredith Hess; Jessica R Goodkind
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Original Paper; Refugees; Adolescent; Communication; 05 social sciences; Middle Aged; 16. Peace & justice; United States; 3. Good health; Interviews as Topic; Middle East; Young Adult; Mental Health; 0508 media and communications; Africa; Humans; Female; 10. No inequality; Family Separation; Cell Phone; Aged

Conflicts around the world have resulted in a record high number of refugees. Family separation is critical factor that impacts refugee mental health. Thus, it important to explore refugees' ability maintain contact with family members across globe and ways which they attempt do so. It increasingly common for refugees use information communication technologies (ICTs), include mobile phones, internet, social media sites, such as Facebook, WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, these purposes.The aim this study was perceptions impact through ICTs on their health, exercise agency by within context ICT use, especially families, logistical issues affect access United States.We used constructivist grounded theory approach analyze in-depth interviews 290 adult participants from different countries, who were enrolled randomized controlled trial community-based health intervention.Analyses showed had differing participants. ICTs, channels between separated major source emotional well-being large However, some participants, process digital technology mentally emotionally difficult. The also discussed hide adversities families selective ICTs. Several noted financial barriers communicating ICTs.These findings are elucidating aspects environmental constraints need be further explicated theories related well providing insight researchers practitioners involved efforts migration