2023/06/15 by Blauth, Florian
#Decision-making process #Forced Migration #Syrian refugee #Syrian refugees #informed decision #social work #structural and individual factors
paper · doi:10.57947/qrp.v62i2.40
In recent years, forced migration has increased significantly and become an important topic in migration research and policy making. Despite this influx and policy changes, refugees’ voices are rarely heard at any stage of flight. In social work, either humanitarian aid in transit countries or challenges at the destination are considered. This study bridges the gap and analyses refugees’ decision-making from a retrospective view. The project focused on the following research question: Which factors influence decision-making of Syrian refugees in the context of forced migration and flight? The question was approached by applying a constructivist approach in which deductive-inductive qualitative research methods were used. A literature review was conducted on migration models that explain individuals’ reasoning and on factors that explain Syrian refugees’ decision-making. In addition, qualitative data was gathered in six problem-centred interviews. Four Syrian refugees who have reached Germany and two experts in social work from Jordan and Lebanon were interviewed. A qualitative content analysis by Mayring (2000) was used to develop categories that describe influencing factors. The analysis generated two categories of factors that influence Syrian refugees’ decision-making: 1) structural factors and 2) individual factors. The first category comprised of four sub-categories: situation in Syria, situation in transit countries, situation in Germany, and obstacles and dynamics. Individual factors were divided into six influencing factors: expectations, prioritisation of needs, received support, agency of refugees, information, and trustworthiness. Furthermore, the decision-making process of Syrian refugees has been visualised. In addition to these two categories that influenced decision-making, the actual decision taking of Syrian refugees was analysed. The findings emphasise the dynamic and processual character of decision-making. Additional factors that are considered by individuals were able to be determined, and social work specific themes were considered. The findings of this study suggest that social workers may offer valuable support to Syrian refugees and help them to make informed choices.