A Systematic Review of Social Service Programs Serving Refugees

Abstract

Purpose: The global forced migration crisis calls for responsive, research-supported social services. This systematic review examines available research on social service programs implemented with refugees worldwide. Methods: Through accessing academic databases, reviewing article reference lists and websites, and contacting experts, we identified 1,402 sources, 68 of which met review inclusion criteria and were selected for analysis. Results: Studies were conducted primarily in high-income countries ( n = 57). Programs examined were related to general adaptation ( n = 13), relationships ( n = 20), financial and employment support ( n = 15), or a specific area such as sport or gardening ( n = 20). Few studies used pre–post ( n = 6) or experimental designs ( n = 1), and in a majority of studies, the theory underlying the intervention was not specified ( n = 41). Discussion: Additional research is needed to better understand social service programming with refugees, particularly in understudied contexts.