Idemudia Erhabor Sunday, Williams John K, Wyatt Gail E
North West University (MC), Department of Psychology, Mmbatho, South Africa.
J Inj Violence Res. 2013 Jan;5(1):17-27. doi: 10.5249/jivr.v5i1.185. Epub 2011 Nov 16.
Zimbabweans are immigrating to South Africa with a commonly cited reason being economic opportunities. Prospects of finding employment may be a significant reason to leave behind family, friends, and community, sources that buffer and offer social support against life's challenges. Currently, there is a dearth of research examining the motivators for Zimbabweans immigrating and the experiences encountered along the way and after arrival in South Africa. Such research is essential as large numbers of Zimbabweans may be at risk for emotional and physical trauma during this process.
Two gender specific focus group discussions, each lasting 90-minutes and consisting of homeless Zimbabwean refugees, were conducted in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. A semi-structured interview assessed for experiences in and reasons for leaving Zimbabwe, as well as experiences en-route and within South Africa. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using consensual qualitative research and a constant comparison qualitative method.
Three temporal themes were identified and included challenges and trauma experienced in Zimbabwe (pre-migration), during the immigration journey (mid-migration), and upon arrival in South Africa (post-migration). While there were some experiential differences, Zimbabwean men and women shared numerous traumatic commonalities. In addition to the themes, three subthemes contributing to reasons for leaving Zimbabwe, two subthemes of negative and traumatic experiences incurred mid-migration, and two post-migration subthemes of challenges were identified.
Despite the difficulties encountered in their homeland, newly arrived Zimbabweans in South Africa may be exchanging old struggles for a new array of foreign and traumatic challenges. Reasons to immigrate and the psychological and physical toll of migration exacted at the individual and community levels are discussed. Recommendations advocating for culturally congruent mental health research, the training of culturally competent researchers and clinicians, and the development of policies that could influence the quality of life of Zimbabwean refugees are provided.
津巴布韦人移民到南非，一个普遍提到的原因是经济机会。找到工作的前景可能是他们离开家人、朋友和社区的重要原因，而这些人原本能提供缓冲并给予应对生活挑战的社会支持。目前，缺乏关于津巴布韦人移民动机以及在移民途中和抵达南非后所经历情况的研究。此类研究至关重要，因为大量津巴布韦人在此过程中可能面临情感和身体创伤的风险。
在南非林波波省，针对无家可归的津巴布韦难民进行了两场按性别划分的焦点小组讨论，每场持续90分钟。通过半结构化访谈评估他们离开津巴布韦的经历和原因，以及在途中和南非境内的经历。讨论进行了录音、转录，并采用共识定性研究和持续比较定性方法进行分析。
确定了三个时间主题，包括在津巴布韦（移民前）、移民途中（移民中期）以及抵达南非后（移民后）所经历的挑战和创伤。虽然存在一些经历上的差异，但津巴布韦男性和女性有许多共同的创伤经历。除了这些主题，还确定了三个导致离开津巴布韦的原因的子主题、两个移民中期产生负面和创伤性经历的子主题，以及两个移民后挑战的子主题。
尽管在祖国遇到困难，但刚抵达南非的津巴布韦人可能是在用旧的挣扎换取一系列新的异国创伤性挑战。讨论了移民的原因以及移民在个人和社区层面造成的心理和身体代价。提出了一些建议，倡导开展文化契合的心理健康研究、培训有文化能力的研究人员和临床医生，以及制定能够影响津巴布韦难民生活质量的政策。
