Ethiopian Refugee Resettlement in the Western United States: Social Context and Psychological Well-Being

The reported high level of depression and suicide among 59 Ethiopian single male refugees is often related to their being culturally and ethnically distinct in the US. Research investigating the psychological well-being of these refugees in California, Washington, and Nevada indicates that the level of stress among Ethiopian refugees resettled by agencies is higher than the stress of those resettled by volunteers. When English facility is held constant, the differential ability of these 2 resettlement methodologies to provide appropriate employment and access to higher education varies directly with the stress levels. Recommendations for improvement of resettlement are offered.