Rees, Susan (2003) Refuge or retrauma? the impact of asylum seeker status on the wellbeing of East Timorese women asylum seekers residing in the Australian community. Australasian Psychiatry, 11 (S1). pp. 96-101.

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Abstract

Objective: To summarise findings from interdisciplinary research into the experiences of East Timorese women asylum seekers residing in the Australian community, and specifically to highlight the effects of prolonged asylum seeker status on wellbeing. ‘Wellbeing’ was defined as a holistic state that includes psychological, physical, spiritual, social and cultural welfare and contentment.

Methods: A qualitative multimethod data collection tool comprised semistructured interviewing of East Timorese women asylum seekers, questionnaires to professional workers assisting East Timorese asylum seekers at the community level, and an analysis of secondary source material.

Results: Insecurity of tenure and living with the fear of forced removal from Australia was found to have significantly affected and dangerously compromised the wellbeing of the asylum seekers. The findings further revealed a flaw in current social policy with respect to the length of time asylum seekers could reside in the community without adequate supports, services and avenues for social inclusion.

Conclusions: The research illustrated the necessity for faster processing of claims for asylum seeker status, recognition of the effects of torture and trauma on asylum seekers in policy, and consequently immediate access for asylum seekers to essential and gender specific supports and services. The research provides evidence to support the East Timorese asylum seekers’ claim to permanent status in Australia on humanitarian grounds.

Item ID:	13716
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1440-1665
Keywords:	East Timorese; mental health; refugee policy; resettlement; wellbeing; women
Additional Information:	No current JCU email address available.
Date Deposited:	30 Nov 2010 01:45
FoR Codes:	16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1699 Other Studies in Human Society > 169999 Studies in Human Society not elsewhere classified @ 60% 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1605 Policy and Administration > 160512 Social Policy @ 20% 16 STUDIES IN HUMAN SOCIETY > 1608 Sociology > 160803 Race and Ethnic Relations @ 20%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920410 Mental Health @ 40% 92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 40% 95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9599 Other Cultural Understanding > 959999 Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified @ 20%
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