The mental health of immigrants and refugees is of critical concern given the demands of coping with pre-migration, migration, and resettlement stressors. Particularly for refugees who flee their home due to violence and persecution, resettlement stressors often compound the negative effects of trauma exposure. Exposure to war trauma and torture can have devastating effects on the psychological and relational health of individuals and families. However, families can play an integral role in the capacity for its members and the entire family system to cope and rebound from adversity.
Our team is dedicated to research concerning the mental and relational health of immigrant and refugee individuals and families. This research spans from understanding the mental health effects of trauma exposure and resettlement stressors in various resettled populations, to developing evidence-based interventions aimed at supporting mental and relational health within resettled families.
Select Publications:
- Cooper, D., Wieling, E., Domenech Rodriguez, M. M., & Garcia-Huidobro, D. (2019). Latinx Mental Health Scholars’ Experiences with Cultural Adaptation and Implementation of Systemic Family Interventions. Family Process. doi: 10.1111/famp.12433
- Wieling, E. (2017). Family interventions for populations exposed to traumatic stress related to war and violence. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 44, 189-192. doi: 10.1111/jmft.12297
- Shannon, P. J., Wieling, E., Simmelink McCleary, J., & Becher, E. (2014). Beyond stigma: Barriers to discussing mental health in refugee populations. Journal of Loss and Trauma, 20, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/15325024.2014.934629
- Shannon, P. J., Wieling, E., Simmelink McCleary, J., & Becher, E. (2014). Exploring the mental health effects of political trauma with newly arrived refugees. Qualitative Health Research, 25, 443-457. doi: 10.1177/1049732314549475