Inhibiting and stimulating factors for the integration of refugees into the Portuguese labour market - a psychological perspective

Abstract

Employment is considered a fundamental pillar of the overall refugee integration. From a psychological perspective, there are several factors thataffect the refugees’ labour market outcome. Following a dual approach,in-depth interviews with 2 psychologists and 13 Middle Eastern and East African refugees in Portugal were conducted. The analysis of the results indicates 8 key emotions, which dominate the refugees’ psychological reality. Together with identified structural circumstances, these emotions affect refugees' mental health and thereby either stimulate or inhibit their integration into the society and labour market. The obtained findings have important implications for employers such as the Portuguese social business Mezze.