Empowering the Migrant and Refugee Family's Parenting Skills: A Literature Review

Christiana  Kouta; Venetia Sofia  Velonaki; Runa  Lazzarino; Elena  Rousou; Paraskevi  Apostolara; Anamaria  Doru; Victor  Dudau; Athena  Kalokairinou; Orazio  Licciardello; Manuela  Mauceri; Elena  Nikolaidou; Alfonso  Pezzella; Christina  Samartzi; Andrea  Kuckert-Wöstheinrich; Irena  Papadopoulos

doi:10.18502/jchr.v11i4.11735

Christiana Kouta Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
Venetia Sofia Velonaki Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Runa Lazzarino Research Centre for Transcultural Studies in Health, Middlesex University, School of Health and Education, Middlesex University UK
Elena Rousou Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
Paraskevi Apostolara Lecturer, Department of Nursing, Egaleo Park Campus, University of West Attica Scientific Collaborator, Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Ag. Spyridonos Str., Egaleo, 12243, Athens
Anamaria Doru Teacher, Edunet Nursing School Pictor Obedeanu 1, Craiova, Romania
Victor Dudau Trainer, Edunet Organization Basarabia, Craiova, Romania
Athena Kalokairinou Department of Nursing, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
Orazio Licciardello Professor of Social Psychology Scientific Director C&B Formazione Professionale, Catania, IT
Manuela Mauceri Temporary Professor, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania; Piazza Università, Catania, IT
Elena Nikolaidou Department Community Nursing Services, Cyprus Health Service Organisation, Limassol, Cyprus
Alfonso Pezzella Research Centre for Transcultural Studies in Health Department of Mental Health and Social Work Middlesex University UK
Christina Samartzi Program Manager Doctors of the World-Greek Delegation Athens, Greece
Andrea Kuckert-Wöstheinrich Research and innovative project, St. Augustinus-Gruppe Neuss, Germany and Manager Bachelor of Science in Health Studies Fachhochschule Vorarlberg GmbH University of Applied Sciences, Dornbirn, Austria
Irena Papadopoulos Department of Transcultural Health and Nursing Head, Research Centre for Transcultural Studies in Health, School of Health and Education

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jchr.v11i4.11735

Keywords: Parenting, Migrants/Refugees, Cultural Competence

Abstract

Bachground: Worldwide, more than 79.5 million people are forcibly displaced, including a significant number of migrant and refugee families with children. Migration and refugeedom affect these families in different dimensions, such as mental, physical and spiritual health. Identifying family needs and enhancing parenting skills can improve family cohesion and health, as well as smooth integration into the host country. This review is part of the Erasmus+ funded project- IENE 8 (Intercultural Education for Nurses in Europe) aiming at empowering migrant and refugee families regarding parenting skills.

Methods: This was a scoping review of literature. The IENE 8 partner countries (Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, and United Kingdom) searched for peer reviewed papers, grey literature and mass media reports at international, European and national level. The time period for the search of scientific and grey literature was between2013-2018, and for mass media, it was between 2016 and 2018.

Results: 124 relevant sources were identified. They included 33 Peer reviewed papers, 47 Grey literature documents and 44 mass media reports. This revealed the importance of understanding the needs of migrant families with children.

Conclusion: It is evident from the literature that there is a need to support refugee parents to adjust their existing skill and to empower them to develop new ones. Healthcare and social services professionals have an essential role in improving the refugees' parenting skills. This can be done by developing and implementing family-centered and culturally-sensitive intervention programs.