A pilot study of culturally tailored wellness programs promoting self-care among refugee mothers

Refugee mothers are particularly vulnerable to adverse health outcomes due to the compounded challenges of displacement trauma, cultural dislocation, and primary caregiving responsibilities. While existing research documents health challenges among refugees, limited attention has been paid to protective factors that could enhance well-being. This pilot study aimed to develop and evaluate a culturally tailored wellness intervention for refugee mothers, with particular focus on identifying healthcare barriers and promoting sustainable self-care practices.

A mixed-methods study was conducted in Syracuse, New York, from October to November 2022. Initial focus group discussions with nine refugee mothers assessed healthcare barriers and informed the development of a six-week wellness intervention program. The intervention's effectiveness was evaluated using the Mindful Self-Care Scale (MSCS) in a pre - and post-test design, measuring changes across six dimensions of self-care practices.

Focus group discussions revealed that cultural practices, language barriers, and intensive caregiving responsibilities significantly limited refugee mothers' engagement with healthcare services. The intervention significantly enhanced participants' overall self-care practices (mean increase = 0.406, p < 0.05). Most notably, participants showed substantial improvement in mindful relaxation practices (mean increase = 0.881, p < 0.01) and demonstrated promising gains in self-compassion (mean increase = 0.560, p < 0.10) and supportive structure development (mean increase = 0.510, p < 0.10).

Well-designed, culturally tailored wellness programs can effectively promote self-care practices among refugee mothers. This study demonstrates the importance of creating dedicated spaces that respect cultural practices while fostering health engagement. Findings highlight the need for sustained, culturally sensitive support systems that extend beyond short-term interventions to ensure long-term improvement in refugee mothers' well-being and community integration.