title: Separation from family and its impact on the mental health of Sudanese refugees in Australia: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the impact of separation from family members on the mental health and wellbeing of Sudanese refugees in Australia, and the coping strategies used.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth interviews were conducted with Sudanese community representatives and health workers, primary and mental health care practitioners, health service managers and policy makers. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Separation was perceived as having a negative impact on the mental health of Sudanese refugees in Australia, and manifested in concern about the safety of relatives abroad and in changing roles. The pressure to send money home emerged as a high priority for Sudanese refugees, often superseding local concerns. Several strategies were used to bridge the separation gap, including maintaining contact through the use of information communication technologies, and family-reunification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Separation from family can be an ongoing source of stress and sadness among refugees in countries such as Australia. While resettling refugees are actively taking steps to cope with the impact of separation, awareness of the issue in mainstream services appears to be low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Separation from family continues to affect refugees' lives in countries of resettlement. While it may be difficult to alter the course of the monumental circumstances that cause forced migration, service providers can support refugees' coping abilities by understanding these global-local intersections.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Public Health, School of Population Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia. michaels@turningpoint.org.au
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Savic
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chur-Hansen
authors.forename: Mohammad Afzal
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mahmood
authors.forename: Vivienne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D013397:Sudan / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: Refugees; Sudanese; coping; family; mental health; qualitative; resettlement