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Dissertation
Developing movement experiences with refugees who have undergone trauma: a grounded theory study
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Drexel University
May 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/k9ag-g245
Abstract
Amid the biggest global refugee crisis in history, admission numbers of refugees to the United States have decreased in recent years. Those who are able to resettle here have a significantly higher prevalence of mental health problems, particularly posttraumatic stress and depression, than individuals born and raised in America. Meanwhile, Western treatment approaches are likely not sufficient in engaging and supporting this marginalized population as many refugees come from cultures that tend to experience trauma symptoms through their bodies. With the role of the body and movement in recovery, acculturation, and coping largely unknown, this grounded theory study investigated what resources recent refugees to the United States tap into and what part their body and expressive movement can play in their resettlement process and recovery. Further, it was examined how co-created, expressive movement structures were experienced and how they contributed to a sense of coping and having resources. The study consisted of four phases: (a) analysis of existing dance/movement therapy (DMT) studies with refugees; (b) completion of questionnaire about existing resources and relationship to body and movement; (c) development of movement experiences over the course of several weeks; and (d) interview about the experiences of co-created movement and completion of second questionnaire. Thirteen refugees (ten female, three male) from the Middle East and North -, West-, and Central Africa participated in this study, ranging in age from 21 to 69 years with Arabic or French as first language. Ten of the participants completed all the movement sessions and semi-structured interviews. Constructivist grounded theory methods and descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the data. The findings suggest that refugees draw on family relationships, cultural elements, environmental support systems, and personal qualities with movement and body playing a minor role that, when emphasized, can become a resource. Movement experiences were found to have both a settling and mobilizing effect. The overarching phenomenon was the aspect of connection, whether it was to the self or to another person. A grounded theory model was developed based on the findings to inform the practice of DMT with refugees. This model shows a dynamic interaction between the encountered categories. The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of the resettlement phase of refugees with implications and suggestions for the field of DMT and other health disciplines serving this population.
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Details
- Title
- Developing movement experiences with refugees who have undergone trauma
- Creators
- Rebekka Magdalena Dieterich-Hartwell - DU
- Contributors
- Sherry W. Goodill (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 177 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 9475; 991014632217604721