Social support coping strategies among sub-Saharan African refugees: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Abstract

Social support is a key coping resource; its specific role for refugees from sub-Saharan Africa in high-income settings remains poorly understood. This systematic review synthesises existing evidence on the sources of social support and how these networks aid coping during resettlement. We applied an optimised search strategy to identify studies examining social support among sub-Saharan African refugees across six academic indexing databases. We then undertook a meta-synthesis of the identified studies. This involved the use of meta-thematic analysis of the interpretations and quotes presented in each study, combining thematic analysis through the reviewer's reflexivity. The PRISMA framework guided the review process to ensure methodological rigour. A total of 22 articles were included in the qualitative meta-synthesis. The synthesis revealed four key sources of social support: 1) family, 2) friends, 3) ethnic and community groups, and 4) cultural and religious supports. These support sources played multiple roles, including enhancing community engagement and reciprocity, providing practical and emotional assistance, offering relief from distress and cultivating cultural continuity and adaptation. However, some individuals distanced themselves from their ethnic community and preferred self-driven coping. Access to social support systems remains a crucial coping resource for many sub-Saharan African refugees in high-income settings, alleviating distress and enhancing resilience. Programs that strengthen informal social support networks through community-driven initiatives can enhance the relevance of social support. Future research should investigate the role of social support across various phases of resettlement in relation to psychosocial well-being.