Asylum seeker mothers and their well-being : Perspectives for family work

Abstract

Followed by the rapid increase in the amount of asylum seekers in Finland in 2015, the Finnish Immigration service detected a need to improve services for families who live in the reception centers. Therefore, a post of a family and crisis worker was opened in reception centers around Finland, including the Helsinki reception center. Thus, the thesis research seeks to explore the well-being of asylum seeker mothers, who are clients of Helsinki reception center. Additionally, it is also discovered, how the family work conducted in the center can promote the well-being of the mothers. The theoretical framework is conducted by the capabilities approach by Martha Nussbaum. Nussbaum identifies 10 central capabilities that are essential in terms of leading a life worthy of human dignity. However, as the perspective on this thesis is enhancing participation as an important component on well-being, the focus on this thesis is on further exploring the capabilities of “affiliation”, “play” and “control over one’s environment”. The research was conducted by qualitative methods. Data was collected through semistructured focus interviews, and analysed by thematic analysis. The results indicate that the actualisation of the capabilities varies. The mothers feel free of discrimination, and free to choose if they want to practice their culture or not. All of them have meaningful relationships in their lives, yet only one has friends outside the family circle. Leisure time is important for all the mothers in terms of well-being. However, only two of the mothers say that they get to spend leisure time. The mothers find it more important to be able to influence and control their own behaviour than take part in societal influence-making. The mothers are also not aware of the arenas where they could make societal impact. Working is important for all of the mothers, yet none of the mothers is working due their life situation. The mothers tell that have received help from the family worker. They are more in contact with the surrounding society since the family work has started. As a further suggestion, more attention could be paid to arranging more leisure time to the mothers. As a long-term improvement, the family worker could facilitate discussion in the decision-making arenas about the right for state provided day care places for children of asylum seekers, as it could have a positive impact on the well-being of both the mothers and their children.