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Psychological Antecedents of Refugee Integration (PARI)

Authors:
Gerald Echterhoff at University of Münster
Gerald Echterhoff
Jens H. Hellmann at Bielefeld University
Jens H. Hellmann
Mitja D Back at University of Münster
Mitja D Back
Joscha Kärtner
Joscha Kärtner
Joscha Kärtner
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Abstract

FROM ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT: The successful management of refugee immigration, including refugee integration in host societies, requires a sound understanding of underlying psychological processes. We propose a model of the Psychological Antecedents of Refugee Integration (PARI), highlighting perceived forcedness (i.e., coercion and loss of control from “push” factors) and ensuing perils (risks and potential suffering during migration) as distinctive factors of refugee (vs. voluntary) migration. According to our model, perceptions and subjective representations of forcedness and associated perils activate specific psychological processes relevant to refugee integration and thus moderate responses to the demands and stressor of the immigration situation. We conceptualize these distinctive influences for integration-relevant processes in both refugees and in residents. By pinpointing the unique features of refugee migration, PARI generates novel and specific hypotheses about psychological processes predicting refugee integration. For instance, refugees’ memories of forcedness and associated perils should lead to high preoccupation with the restoration of basic needs after arrival in a receiving country, which interferes with integration-related activities. Conversely, residents’ perceptions of forcedness and related perils may enhance empathy with refugees, but may also magnify feelings of anxiety and threat. Implications for refugee integration are discussed for the domains of occupational work, education, and mental health.
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