Open AccessLessons Learnt on Designing a Community-Based Participatory Research Study on Trauma: A Qualitative Study with Arabic Speaking Refugee Newcomers and Their Service Providers
Author(s) -
Mehmoona Moosa-Mitha,
Bruce Wallace
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the canadian journal of action research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1925-7147
DOI - 10.33524/cjar.v21i2.494
Subject(s) - participatory action research , refugee , action research , focus group , community based participatory research , experiential learning , service provider , qualitative research , citizen journalism , sociology , medical education , service (business) , public relations , pedagogy , medicine , political science , social science , business , marketing , anthropology , law
Few studies engage refugee newcomers in the design phase of a research project even when studying issues that are of significance to them. This preliminary study aimed to engage Arabic speaking refugee newcomers living with trauma and their service providers in designing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to the study of trauma within this community. Focus groups with Arabic speaking refugee newcomers and their service providers confirm participants’ views of trauma as a significant issue in their lives, affirm CBPR’s principles of participation and action-oriented research, and highlight the benefit of research that informs the integration of trauma responses within resettlement processes. Lessons learnt about implementing a CBPR approach to studying trauma include addressing power imbalances in research, the essential role of action within research, and the value of experiential knowledge and engagement.