In the community to establish factors contributing to psychsocial health

THC Researcher Ali Lakhani is leading data collection for a pilot exploratory study that partners with the Queensland Program of Assistance for Survivors of Torture and Trauma (QPASTT). The study aims to identify the physical and social environmental characteristics that promote belonging for refugee and asylum seeking populations with a disability.

Focusing on ascertaining the perspectives that staff and community leaders have around aspects of the community that promote belonging, and favourable psychosocial health outcomes for refugee and asylum seeking populations, including refugee and asylum seeking populations with with disability. It is expected that this and subsequent work will result in establishing and developing an environmental framework that informs the practice of health and social service organisations working with refugee and asylum seeking populations with a disability.

Honours student, Mr James Attard, will begin analyzing the findings from this study shortly, as a part of his Honours in Human Services and Social Work, Griffith Univeristy.

Stay-tuned for more about this project, with data collection close to be complete, final reporting and results of the study will be released shortly.