Exploring the mental health and well being of Syrian men with forced migration backgrounds through photovoice

Author: Dr. Nancy Clark, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, University of Victoria, British Columbia

Location: British Columbia

Background: Syrian refugee men represent one of the largest refugee community groups to experience resettlement and underemployment in Canada. However, little is known about their perspectives on how employment affects their mental health in resettlement.

This study examined Syrian men’s experiences of employment and their perspectives on the impacts of employment on their mental health in Canada.

The research was guided by a community-based participatory action research methodology, an inclusive process that leverages the strengths of research participants for the purpose of positive social change. Photovoice, a participatory arts-based method, was also used to promote discussions about the factors that challenged or supported Syrian men’s mental health.

From May 10, 2022, to May 9, 2024, 11 Syrian men engaged in photovoice workshops and photo elicitation qualitative interviews. A thematic analysis was used to co-create meanings from photographs.

Workbooks were developed to allow men to construct meaning of their photographs. The study was conducted in collaboration with Options Community Services.

Findings:

Syrian men’s photovoice showed that the following factors intersected in shaping Syrian men’s mental health:

• language and literacy barriers
• life stage and time
• isolation and loneliness
• belonging and identity
• gender-based stress.

These are discussed further:

• Syrian men perceived a lack proficiency in English to be a major barrier to employment, which intersected with their stage of life and perception of time. Many middle-aged participants found it challenging to attend English language classes or other forms of educational programming that could advance their careers.
• Of 11 men in the project, only two were employed in their chosen profession, many worked multiple jobs, e.g. delivery driver, Uber driver, cook, painter, stocking bread at Costco. Participating in low paying jobs allowed some men to find work and have flexibility, but also made men feel isolated and lonely on the job.
• Syrian men’s sense of identity and belonging were also strongly connected to being the main provider of their family’s material and financial needs.
• Syrian men’s career aspirations and context of employment also created a source of gender-based stress. Participants expressed that they always feel under pressure in the resettlement contexts, which suggests they experience vulnerabilities related to traditional gender roles and masculinity.

How does this research apply to my work?
Below are implications and recommendations to support the mental health of men with forced migration backgrounds.

• Peer mentorship programs at work sites can promote inclusive workplaces, and opportunities for conversations which may improve English.
• Provide spaces where men belong through peer networks, e.g. many settlement and community health centres are providing men’s groups to destigmatize mental health and increase gender-based support for men.
• Refugee men may experience multiple forms of stigma and discrimination based on their employment; ask employers and counsellors to promote strength-based approaches to the skills and knowledge refugee men bring, e.g. credential evaluation through World Education Services.
• Adopt gender-based responsive supports for men to promote family wellbeing.

What should I take away from this research?

Refugee men, and men who experience forced migration, experience multiple intersecting barriers to finding employment during resettlement. These experiences may be compounded by pre-migration contexts where refugee men often seek precarious employment to provide for their families.

Men’s work is strongly linked to identity and mental health.

The voices of Syrian men can be used by the settlement and healthcare sectors to increase support for men’s programs. Men need to feel like they belong and recognized for the skills they bring during resettlement. Gender responsive services and supports must consider refugee men’s unique vulnerabilities to support their mental health and well-being

This research adds perspectives and highlight the experiences of Syrian men during their resettlement in Canada.

Knowledge mobilization activities can be found here: