A Systematic Review of the Characteristics of Social Support and Poverty Alleviation among Asylum-seekers and Refugees Resettled in Countries in Western Europe

Abstract

Forced migration and poverty among asylum-seekers and refugees (ASRs) in Western Europe have increased substantially in the last decade and have profound psychosocial ramifications. This systematic review synthesises recent literature that explores the contributions of social support in alleviating the psychological effects of poverty among ASRs resettled in countries in Western Europe. The review was conducted in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Nine studies were identified through searches in Scopus, PsycINFO, and MELINE via Ovid and Sage. These studies described the family, friendship and professional networks of ASR as important sources for providing informational, instrumental, emotional, and appraisal support that empowers them to cope with social and financial hardship in the resettlement context. These findings suggest the need to bring social support of ASRs to the forefront of practice and research as an important resource for mitigating the psychological effects of poverty.