“This is not why we brought our children here!”: Tensions and challenges in responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences in African-background refugee families

Abstract

Background

Refugee-background children face increased risks of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). However, their access to support services continues to pose significant challenges. A need exists to understand how families and child welfare services respond to ACEs to inform the design of culturally responsive interventions.

Purpose

Based on a broader qualitative study with parents and practitioners, this article shares the findings on the tensions and challenges of addressing ACEs in African-background refugee families in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Methodology

The research employed a qualitative micro-ethnographic approach. The first author interviewed 12 parents and 12 clinical practitioners and conducted two focus group discussions with African community leaders: the first with six and the second with five participants. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three central themes reflected the tensions and challenges associated with responding to ACEs: reliance on informal support, the “messy” child protection services, and gaps in the child protection system. Parents responded to ACEs through various cultural and spiritual practices and by allocating most family resources to the needs of the children directly affected by ACEs. This came at the expense of resources available for the victim's siblings, who were also experiencing ACEs directly or vicariously. Professional responses were reactive, and the experiences taking place before resettlement were overlooked. Interactions between parents and child welfare services were particularly adversarial in the case of child removal from the family.

Conclusion

Refugee-background families face unique challenges in accessing services, but they also have capacities that can be harnessed in collaborative interventions addressing ACEs. Culturally responsive and trauma-informed support models may assist in improving interventions addressing ACEs.