Refugees, Family Dynamics, and Resilience: Integrating Systemic Disruptions and Individual Coping Mechanisms

Abstract

Migration reshapes family dynamics, emotional well-being, and identity negotiation, disrupting caregiving structures, communication patterns, and intergenerational relationships. This study examines how refugees and their families navigate these systemic disruptions and employ coping mechanisms to foster resilience. Drawing on Family Systems Theory and Stress and Coping Theory, this research integrates macro- and micro-level perspectives to analyze migration as both a structural force affecting family units and an individual psychological challenge. Using a qualitative approach, the findings reveal how physical separation, caregiving reconfigurations, and intergenerational tensions redefine familial roles and emotional bonds. Refugees employ cultural frame switching, bilingual adaptation, and identity negotiation strategies to balance heritage preservation with host culture integration. Community support networks and emotional resilience emerge as critical factors in mitigating migration-induced stress. This study extends traditional models such as Berry’s acculturation framework and transnational family theories by emphasizing the interplay between systemic family disruptions and personal adaptation processes. The findings contribute to family research by bridging systemic and individual responses, offering policy implications for expediting family reunification, developing culturally responsive mental health services, and designing intergenerational integration programs. This study underscores the need for holistic, family-centered migration policies and support systems to enhance refugee family well-being and long-term resilience.