A Qualitative Study of Acculturation and Intimate Relationships Among Refugee Women in Switzerland

Abstract

In mid-2024, there were approximately 122.6 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide (UNHCR, 2024). Of these, 192,507 reside in Switzerland, half of whom are women (Macrotrends, 2023). While extant literature has explored the challenges faced by refugee women, understanding of post-migration experiences related to intimate relationships and acculturation remains limited. This study addresses this gap using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to capture the emotional, social and psychological aspects of participants’ post-migration experiences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 refugee women, all in intimate relationships, aged 25-45 years, who migrated to Switzerland from Pakistan, Iraq, Cuba, Colombia, Kurdistan and Turkey. Berry’s (1997) acculturation framework and Bornstein’s (2017) specificity principle guided the data analysis, identifying four experiential themes: ‘Pathways of Acculturation,’ ‘Shadow of Bias,’ ‘Loss in a New Land,’ and ‘Metamorphosis of Relationships’. Findings revealed participants' experienced racism, systemic barriers, loss, resilience, gendered and cultural challenges, and changes in intimate relationships, which shaped the participants process of acculturation. Acculturation strategies were grouped by pre-migration culture, and intimate relationships were often intertwined with acculturation, as some couples adapted together while others experienced tension due to changing gender and cultural norms. Racism contributed to mistrust, anxiety and social withdrawal, leading to isolation and cultural preservation. This research introduces transformative acculturation (TA) as a novel addition to existing acculturation frameworks, based on the post-migration changes of participants affected by gender-based violence (GBV). TA offers a comprehensive understanding of acculturation, addressing the limitations of existing frameworks by positing TA as a process of cultural, identity, gender and relationship transformation, driven by the pursuit of safety and agency for refugee women impacted by GBV. Furthermore, the importance of interventions and policies guided by transformative acculturation is emphasised, highlighting culturally responsive support that prioritises safety post-migration. Additionally, targeted interventions to support refugee women's intimate relationships post-migration is addressed.