A Thematic Analysis of Interviews with the Southeast Asian Refugees: Understanding Resilience with Implications for Dance/Movement Therapy Suppor

The purpose of this study is to understand Southeast Asian (SEA) refugees' resilience within their resettlement experience in the United States. Challenges to coping in the resettlement country for SEA refugees include stress, unemployment, lack of vocational skills, discriminations, and language barrier. However, despite the experience of adversity, survivors often show resiliency. This qualitative research used verbal interview methods combined with a movement elicitation (ME) procedure as the data collection method. Movement elicitation is guided expressive movement that is engaged within the verbal interview. Utilizing ME involved probing the interview response to clarify and deepen the themes related to resilience in SEA refugees. A thematic analysis method was conducted to identify themes within the interviews affecting resilience in SEA refugees. Eight themes emerged from the analysis of verbal interviews. Four of the themes pertained to the adversities during the resettlement experience: financial and employment-based problems; racial issues and discrimination; challenges in adjustment and acculturation process; the impact of rough, unsafe neighborhoods. Four themes described the elements promoting the SEA refugees resilience: acquired functional skills; drawing upon personal qualities; finding a sense of identity in family and beliefs; accepting social supports. The author discussed the implications of the themes for the use of dance/movement therapy support for SEA refugees during their resettlement process, and for future study.