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‘This is what it is like to be church’: the Church of Sweden’s conditions for work with newly arrived refugees

Author

Listed:
  • Linda Vikdahl

    (Södertörn University
    The Swedish Red Cross University College)

  • David Gunnarsson

    (Södertörn University
    The Swedish Red Cross University College)

  • Sofia Larsson

    (The Swedish Red Cross University College)

Abstract

Many newly arrived refugees suffer from mental health problems due to trauma. Research has shown that social participation after migration, such as taking part in social activities, networks and community work, is important for mental health and well-being. In Sweden, many civil society organisations, such as the Church of Sweden, take great responsibility for the establishment and integration of new arrivals. At the same time, the role of civil society organisations in the welfare society is not obvious, and the place of religious communities is sometimes challenged. Due to today’s growing secular and globalised society, the role of the Church of Sweden has changed. Its power has decreased, and the indications are that this will continue. There are also circumstances that point to the church having to adapt to the norms of secular society to have an impact. As the Church of Sweden fulfils an important function as a provider of welfare services, not least in work with newly arrived refugees, this article studies how the employees of the Church of Sweden feel about their conditions for this work and what guides it. It is based on a qualitative study of 19 interviews with employees in 4 different parishes.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Vikdahl & David Gunnarsson & Sofia Larsson, 2024. "‘This is what it is like to be church’: the Church of Sweden’s conditions for work with newly arrived refugees," Journal of International Migration and Integration, Springer, vol. 25(1), pages 191-207, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joimai:v:25:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s12134-023-01053-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s12134-023-01053-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sofia Larsson & David Gunnarsson & Linda Vikdahl, 2022. "Social Participation and Mental Health in the Establishment Programme for Newly Arrived Refugees in Sweden—A Document Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Maria Niemi & Hélio Manhica & David Gunnarsson & Göran Ståhle & Sofia Larsson & Fredrik Saboonchi, 2019. "A Scoping Review and Conceptual Model of Social Participation and Mental Health among Refugees and Asylum Seekers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-27, October.
    3. Andrew Williams & Paul Cloke & Samuel Thomas, 2012. "Co-Constituting Neoliberalism: Faith-Based Organisations, Co-Option, and Resistance in the UK," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 44(6), pages 1479-1501, June.
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