| There is a growing population of refugees around the world. Refugees experience a multitude of stressors---war trauma, chaotic and unsettling displacement(s), and resettlement stressors. African and Middle Eastern refugees are the fastest growing refugee population. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (2014) report estimates that by the end of 2014, there will be 59.5 million displaced people around the world. Refugee women and children are disproportionately victims of war and civil conflict. Research on the experience of refugee women and children is minimal in refugee studies, specifically how refugee mothers' experiences of war affect parenting. The purpose of this study is to explore lived experiences of war among East African refugee mothers and examine on how their war experiences affect parenting and parent-child relationship. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the results of this study are categorized in five major themes--- experiences of war, lasting negative effects of war, resettlement challenges, parenting issues, and resiliency & faith. Limitations, clinical implications for marriage and family therapists, and direction for future research will be discussed.;Keywords: refugee women, war, war trauma, displacement, resettlement, and parenting. |
