Hyojin Im
Biographic Data
| ID | 76016 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Hyojin Im |
| GIVEN NAMES | Hyojin |
| FAMILY NAME | Im |
| SIGNATURE | IM H |
| AFFILIATIONS | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-9577-6714 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 29 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 36 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 29 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2012 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Structural determinants of depressive symptoms among refugees and host communities in South Sudan
Background Depressive symptoms in displacement settings are often framed as consequences of refugee status, which can obscure the shared structural conditions emphasized in the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) framework that shape mental health for refugees and host communities and limit the identification of practical intervention targets. This study examines the relative contribution of health, socioeconomic, protection, and contextual fact…
Cross-Generational Transmission of Distress in the Context of Chronic Marginalization and Culture Loss
Experiences with forced displacement are associated with poor mental health and psychosocial wellbeing for Somali refugee families. Current understanding of family distress experiences primarily revolves around individual-level behavioral, psychiatric, or psychodynamic characteristics, neglecting the potential impact of system-level traumatization on individuals and family units. This qualitative study explores Somali refugee parents’ experiences…
“Care is nowhere but everywhere”
Beyond Individual Coping
Somali refugee youth face intersecting stressors related to displacement, economic hardship, and systemic exclusion, yet their coping strategies remain understudied. This study examines the psychosocial distress, coping mechanisms, and help-seeking behaviors of Somali refugee youth in Nairobi's urban displacement context using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analyses assess the prevalence of stressors, coping strategies, and perceived supp…
Shifting from Burden Sharing to Task Sharing
The complexities of refugee resettlement in the U.S. require comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) strategies, yet significant gaps persist due to resettlement policies prioritizing short-term self-sufficiency over long-term mental health and well-being. This study explores the shift from traditional “burden sharing” to “task sharing” models that emphasize community-initiated care (CIC). Using a two-phase qualitative method…
Determinants of healthcare utilization by older refugees in the United States
Findings highlight key determinants of healthcare utilization and suggest a need for targeted interventions to improve older refugees' use of health services. Notably, need-based health variables were not significantly linked to exam completion. Expanding insurance, education, culturally responsive care, and community-based interventions could enhance access. Future research should incorporate administrative health data and qualitative methods to…
Embodiment of structural vulnerability
Our findings also have implications for the need to consider intersectional identities when examining for differential exposure to structural risks and the susceptibility to poor health experiences as well as supports the need for urgent change and improvement in systems of social protection and basic care for refugees experiencing prolonged displacement
A multilevel modeling analysis of community-based mental health and psychosocial support group intervention for refugee newcomers in the United States
This study sheds light on the value of community-based, participatory approaches to psychosocial interventions; focusing on the role of refugee community leaders and bicultural staff who deliver MHPSS activities, which was a key feature that enhanced the well-being and coping of refugee newcomers across various settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Gendered Health Outcome Among Somali Refugee Youth in Displacement
Unraveling Trouble Socializing
Implementation Evaluation of Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Intervention for Refugee Newcomers in the United States
Refugee newcomers resettled in the United States face numerous challenges impacting their mental health and overall well-being. Despite extensive research on clinical interventions, multimodal interventions with peer-based group models in resettlement contexts remain scarce. Adopting a realist evaluation approach, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive implementation evaluation of a complex community-based mental health and psychosocial suppo…
Impacts of Covid-19 on Refugee Service Provision and Community Support
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significant impacts on refugee populations and created social, economic as well as public health crises that led to multipronged challenges and barriers to resettlement services and community support. This study aims to explore the impacts of the pandemic on refugee service provision from the standpoint of refugee-serving professionals, refugee community leaders, and volunteers. Using rapid evaluation and a…
Trauma exposure, social functioning, and common mental health disorders in Somali refugee male and female youth
Background: Refugee youth often face numerous adversities before and during forced migration. Although experiences vary across settings and subpopulations, common mental disorders are prevalent among refugee youth who are displaced in low- and middle-income countries. It is important to examine how risk factors are intricately linked and contribute to common mental health issues to inform clinical practice and social policy. Aims: This study aims…
Risk and protective factors for comorbidity of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among Somali refugees in Kenya
BACKGROUND: Comorbid common mental disorders (CMDs) are pervasive in refugee populations. However, limited research has explored psychosocial factors for mental disorder comorbidity in Somali refugee samples. AIMS: This study aims to explore potential risk and protective factors for comorbid depression-anxiety and comorbid depression-PTSD by examining associations between trauma exposure, psychosocial factors, and mental health symptoms among a s…
Born in displacement
Urban refugees often face tremendous adversities during displacement that exacerbate mental health and psychosocial outcomes. Given the lack of research on how extended displacement affects mental health in urban refugee youth, this study examines the differential effects of country of birth on trauma exposure and psychosocial factors that influence mental health experiences among Somali refugee youth in urban Kenya (n = 303). Findings reveals th…
Factors Influencing Improvement of Trauma-Related Symptoms Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya
Falling Through the Cracks
The marginalization process of refugees during resettlement has rarely been explored empirically due to the challenges in identifying and accessing the population. To understand how stress and coping throughout the migration and resettlement processes can result in marginalization in refugees resettled in the United States, this study conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 homeless Hmong refugee families. The findings revealed how cumul…
It hurts so much to live for nothing”
We Learn and Teach Each Other”
Spiral Loss of Culture
Despite the rapidly growing need to understand and address the unique needs of refugee elders in resettlement, few studies have focused on how continued losses of culture affects coping and distress among refugee families with elderly parents. This qualitative study explores Hindu Bhutanese elders’ cultural losses and coping and their bereavement of cultural resources and life transition. Thematic analysis revealed three major thematic domains of…
Risk and Protective Factors for Common Mental Disorders among Urban Somali Refugee Youth
Capacity Building for Refugee Mental Health in Resettlement
Trauma-Informed Psychoeducation for Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya
Constructing health capital in ecological systems
Refugee communities face numerous health and mental health concerns both during and after resettlement. Health issues, already deteriorated by chronic poverty, malnutrition and poor living conditions, are exacerbated by acculturative challenges, such as cultural and language barriers, stigma, and lack of resources and information. Since such needs in refugee communities affect both individual and collective capacity, it is important to consider p…
Mental health risks and stressors faced by urban refugees
BACKGROUND: There is a gap in understanding of refugee mental health risks unique to urban areas of low-income countries. MATERIAL: A qualitative rapid appraisal using focus group interviews with community stakeholders explored main stressors pervasive by Somali refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. DISCUSSION: This study identified the intersection of war trauma and daily stressors that affect both functional and structural challenges and risk of mental h…
Cultural translation of refugee trauma
Westernized approaches to mental health care often place limited emphasis on refugees' own experiences and cultural explanations of symptoms and distress. In order to effectively assess community mental health needs and develop interventions grounded in local needs, mental health programs need to be informed by an understanding of cultural features of mental health, including cultural idioms of distress (CIDs). The current study aims to explore C…
Screening for War Trauma, Torture, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Newly Arrived Refugees
A total of 44 state refugee health coordinators returned a survey assessing mental health screening practices and barriers to screening. Results show that less than half the states ask refugees about a history of war trauma or torture. Of the 25 states that provide mental health screening, 17 (70.8%) utilize informal conversation rather than standardized measures. Screening practices are highly associated with the number of refugees and community…
Constructing health capital in ecological systems
Refugee communities face numerous health and mental health concerns both during and after resettlement. Health issues, already deteriorated by chronic poverty, malnutrition and poor living conditions, are exacerbated by acculturative challenges, such as cultural and language barriers, stigma, and lack of resources and information. Since such needs in refugee communities affect both individual and collective capacity, it is important to consider p…
We Learn and Teach Each Other”
Exploring Mental Health Screening Feasibility and Training of Refugee Health Coordinators
Forty-four refugee health coordinators responded to a subset of questions from a 28-item, national survey exploring the mental health training of refugee health coordinators and the feasibility of refugee mental health screening. Most participants reported that it would be possible to administer a brief mental health screen; however, only half had received any mental health training. A minority of participants identified symptoms of posttraumatic…
Spiral Loss of Culture
Despite the rapidly growing need to understand and address the unique needs of refugee elders in resettlement, few studies have focused on how continued losses of culture affects coping and distress among refugee families with elderly parents. This qualitative study explores Hindu Bhutanese elders’ cultural losses and coping and their bereavement of cultural resources and life transition. Thematic analysis revealed three major thematic domains of…
A multilevel modeling analysis of community-based mental health and psychosocial support group intervention for refugee newcomers in the United States
This study sheds light on the value of community-based, participatory approaches to psychosocial interventions; focusing on the role of refugee community leaders and bicultural staff who deliver MHPSS activities, which was a key feature that enhanced the well-being and coping of refugee newcomers across various settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Factors Influencing Improvement of Trauma-Related Symptoms Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya
Screening for War Trauma, Torture, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Newly Arrived Refugees
A total of 44 state refugee health coordinators returned a survey assessing mental health screening practices and barriers to screening. Results show that less than half the states ask refugees about a history of war trauma or torture. Of the 25 states that provide mental health screening, 17 (70.8%) utilize informal conversation rather than standardized measures. Screening practices are highly associated with the number of refugees and community…
Exploring the experiences of survivor students in a course on trauma treatment
Exploring Mental Health Screening Feasibility and Training of Refugee Health Coordinators
Forty-four refugee health coordinators responded to a subset of questions from a 28-item, national survey exploring the mental health training of refugee health coordinators and the feasibility of refugee mental health screening. Most participants reported that it would be possible to administer a brief mental health screen; however, only half had received any mental health training. A minority of participants identified symptoms of posttraumatic…
Mental health risks and stressors faced by urban refugees
BACKGROUND: There is a gap in understanding of refugee mental health risks unique to urban areas of low-income countries. MATERIAL: A qualitative rapid appraisal using focus group interviews with community stakeholders explored main stressors pervasive by Somali refugees in Nairobi, Kenya. DISCUSSION: This study identified the intersection of war trauma and daily stressors that affect both functional and structural challenges and risk of mental h…
Cultural translation of refugee trauma
Westernized approaches to mental health care often place limited emphasis on refugees' own experiences and cultural explanations of symptoms and distress. In order to effectively assess community mental health needs and develop interventions grounded in local needs, mental health programs need to be informed by an understanding of cultural features of mental health, including cultural idioms of distress (CIDs). The current study aims to explore C…
Trauma-Informed Psychoeducation for Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya
Constructing health capital in ecological systems
Refugee communities face numerous health and mental health concerns both during and after resettlement. Health issues, already deteriorated by chronic poverty, malnutrition and poor living conditions, are exacerbated by acculturative challenges, such as cultural and language barriers, stigma, and lack of resources and information. Since such needs in refugee communities affect both individual and collective capacity, it is important to consider p…
Risk and Protective Factors for Common Mental Disorders among Urban Somali Refugee Youth
Capacity Building for Refugee Mental Health in Resettlement
Falling Through the Cracks
The marginalization process of refugees during resettlement has rarely been explored empirically due to the challenges in identifying and accessing the population. To understand how stress and coping throughout the migration and resettlement processes can result in marginalization in refugees resettled in the United States, this study conducted in-depth individual interviews with 16 homeless Hmong refugee families. The findings revealed how cumul…
It hurts so much to live for nothing”
We Learn and Teach Each Other”
Spiral Loss of Culture
Despite the rapidly growing need to understand and address the unique needs of refugee elders in resettlement, few studies have focused on how continued losses of culture affects coping and distress among refugee families with elderly parents. This qualitative study explores Hindu Bhutanese elders’ cultural losses and coping and their bereavement of cultural resources and life transition. Thematic analysis revealed three major thematic domains of…
Impacts of Covid-19 on Refugee Service Provision and Community Support
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significant impacts on refugee populations and created social, economic as well as public health crises that led to multipronged challenges and barriers to resettlement services and community support. This study aims to explore the impacts of the pandemic on refugee service provision from the standpoint of refugee-serving professionals, refugee community leaders, and volunteers. Using rapid evaluation and a…
Trauma exposure, social functioning, and common mental health disorders in Somali refugee male and female youth
Background: Refugee youth often face numerous adversities before and during forced migration. Although experiences vary across settings and subpopulations, common mental disorders are prevalent among refugee youth who are displaced in low- and middle-income countries. It is important to examine how risk factors are intricately linked and contribute to common mental health issues to inform clinical practice and social policy. Aims: This study aims…
Risk and protective factors for comorbidity of PTSD, depression, and anxiety among Somali refugees in Kenya
BACKGROUND: Comorbid common mental disorders (CMDs) are pervasive in refugee populations. However, limited research has explored psychosocial factors for mental disorder comorbidity in Somali refugee samples. AIMS: This study aims to explore potential risk and protective factors for comorbid depression-anxiety and comorbid depression-PTSD by examining associations between trauma exposure, psychosocial factors, and mental health symptoms among a s…
Born in displacement
Urban refugees often face tremendous adversities during displacement that exacerbate mental health and psychosocial outcomes. Given the lack of research on how extended displacement affects mental health in urban refugee youth, this study examines the differential effects of country of birth on trauma exposure and psychosocial factors that influence mental health experiences among Somali refugee youth in urban Kenya (n = 303). Findings reveals th…
Factors Influencing Improvement of Trauma-Related Symptoms Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya
Gendered Health Outcome Among Somali Refugee Youth in Displacement
Unraveling Trouble Socializing
Implementation Evaluation of Community-Based Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Intervention for Refugee Newcomers in the United States
Refugee newcomers resettled in the United States face numerous challenges impacting their mental health and overall well-being. Despite extensive research on clinical interventions, multimodal interventions with peer-based group models in resettlement contexts remain scarce. Adopting a realist evaluation approach, this study aims to conduct a comprehensive implementation evaluation of a complex community-based mental health and psychosocial suppo…
Embodiment of structural vulnerability
Our findings also have implications for the need to consider intersectional identities when examining for differential exposure to structural risks and the susceptibility to poor health experiences as well as supports the need for urgent change and improvement in systems of social protection and basic care for refugees experiencing prolonged displacement
A multilevel modeling analysis of community-based mental health and psychosocial support group intervention for refugee newcomers in the United States
This study sheds light on the value of community-based, participatory approaches to psychosocial interventions; focusing on the role of refugee community leaders and bicultural staff who deliver MHPSS activities, which was a key feature that enhanced the well-being and coping of refugee newcomers across various settings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Beyond Individual Coping
Somali refugee youth face intersecting stressors related to displacement, economic hardship, and systemic exclusion, yet their coping strategies remain understudied. This study examines the psychosocial distress, coping mechanisms, and help-seeking behaviors of Somali refugee youth in Nairobi's urban displacement context using a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative analyses assess the prevalence of stressors, coping strategies, and perceived supp…
Shifting from Burden Sharing to Task Sharing
The complexities of refugee resettlement in the U.S. require comprehensive mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) strategies, yet significant gaps persist due to resettlement policies prioritizing short-term self-sufficiency over long-term mental health and well-being. This study explores the shift from traditional “burden sharing” to “task sharing” models that emphasize community-initiated care (CIC). Using a two-phase qualitative method…
Migration, Health and Trauma (28 works) · Refugee (26 works) · Mental health (22 works) · Psychology (22 works) · Medicine (20 works) · Political science (19 works) · Psychiatry (19 works) · Somali (15 works) · Clinical Psychology (12 works) · Psychosocial (11 works)