Conceptualizing Integration: Resettlement Experiences of Bhutanese Refugees in Pittsburgh, PA

This thesis seeks to understand the extent to which prevailing conceptual frameworks can explain the experience of integration for refugees. It also seeks to incorporate the perspectives of refugees and resettlement professionals, as well as provide recommendations for policy and further research. I pursue these objectives with guidance from the Indicators of Integration Framework (Ager and Strang, 2004), a model that incorporates key dimensions of integration, and through interviews with Bhutanese refugees and resettlement professionals. Results characterize integration as a largely social phenomenon, although self-sufficiency and basic functional considerations emerge as major priorities for refugees. I also offer implications regarding the general use of conceptual frameworks in integration research, the priority and proximity of factors to the occurrence of integration, the significance of social connections, and local conditions that may support integration. In addition, I propose that interview information reflecting participants' experiences and perspectives merits consideration in its own right.

Name thesis:degree_name

MA

Level thesis:degree_level

Immediate Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Graduate Center for Social and Public Policy

Year dc:date.available

2013

Author dc:creator

• Smith, Andrew J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel Lieberfeld
• Jennie L Schulze

• Bhutanese
• Integration
• Pittsburgh
• Refugee
• Resettlement

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dsc.duq.edu/etd/1218

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dsc.duq.edu:etd-2234