“Happy, just talking, talking, talking”: Community strengthening through mobile phone based peer support among refugee women

Authors

  • Dennis Wollersheim La Trobe University
  • Lee Koh La Trobe University
  • Rae Walker La Trobe University
  • Pranee Liamputtong Western Sydney University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15353/joci.v13i1.3293

Keywords:

system settings, social capital, empowerment, refugees, women, social support, peer support, mobile phones, cell phones

Abstract

Resettled refugees face lack of information and support, due to disrupted community and cultural mismatch. In this context, we provided 111 refugee women peer support training and a restricted-dial unlimited-call mobile phone in Melbourne, Australia. We gathered demographic, phone call, pre and post intervention questionnaires, and interview data.


The provided resources synergised with existing resources such as social capital and information demand, resulting in changes to resource allocation and social processes, such as economic resource reallocation, information sharing, personal agency, and social support. These changes impacted areas such as employment, education, transportation and domestic violence, leading to improved individual lives and community functioning.

Author Biographies

Dennis Wollersheim, La Trobe University

Dennis Wollersheim is lecturer, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Email: d.wollersheim@latrobe.edu.au

Lee Koh, La Trobe University

Lee Koh is a Phd candidate, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Email: l.koh@latrobe.edu.au

Rae Walker, La Trobe University

Rae Walker is an Adjunct Professor Emeritus, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Email: r.walker@latrobe.edu.au

Pranee Liamputtong, Western Sydney University

Pranee Liamputtong is Professor of Public Health, at School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA. She is also an Adjunct Professor, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Email: P.Liamputtong@westernsydney.edu.au; pranee@latrobe.edu.au

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Published

2017-03-22

Issue

Section

Research Articles