A Qualitative Exploration of The Impact of Family Functioning on Young Adults of Hazara Afghan Refugee Background in Australia

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2022

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Rahimi, Freshta

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Hazara Afghans are the most persecuted ethnic group of Afghanistan, and since the Taliban seized control over Afghanistan in August 2021, they have increased the global refugee population, leading to an extra intake to Australia. Recent studies have found family instability in refugee families to be a core feature of the early settlement period, however there is a lack of culturally specific research in the field. In particular, the experiences of family functioning and its impact on the wellbeing of Hazara young adults, remain unknown. This qualitative study included 11 Hazara young adults, aged 18-30 years old, who had been living in Australia for at least five years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis identified five themes: Lack of Communication, Stigma and Lack of Mental Health Awareness, Parent-Child Relationships, Acculturation, Gender Roles and Parental Expectations and finally, Autonomy, Control and Identity Development. These findings were discussed within the context of Bronfenbrenner's (1977) ecological theory as well as the Circumplex Model of Family Functioning. The thesis points to unique differences in the Hazara culture that remain unaccounted for in traditional and western-oriented models of family functioning and highlights the need for more culturally applicable models and service provision. Keywords: Hazara Afghan; family functioning; post-resettlement; psychological wellbeing; circumplex model

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School of Psychology

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Thesis (B.PsychSc(Hons)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 2022

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This electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the author of this thesis and do not wish it to be made publicly available, or you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legals

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