Ukrainian refugees' family integration into Slovak society: Socioeconomic and cultural dimension

Abstract

The conflict in Ukraine has led to the greatest influx of refugees since World War II, creating a refugee situation inconceivable in contemporary Europe. Ukrainian people have been forced to leave their homes in search of safety, protection, and assistance because of the escalation of the Russian military war in Ukraine. This study aimed to explore the integration process of Ukrainian refugee families into Slovak society, specifically in Ruzomberok, considering social, economic, and cultural aspects. The role of social workers in facilitating integration was also analyzed. The author employed the theory of change to determine the indicators of the integration process and the ecological system theory to comprehend the role of social workers for the Ukrainian refugees in Ruzomberok. The social capital theory was incorporated into the study to develop an effective integration model for the Ukrainian refugees. A qualitative research approach (online interviews) and thematic analysis were employed to collect and analyze the data. The study used purposive sampling to select 12 participants, including six participants from Ukrainian refugee families and the rest of the six participants from social workers. The findings revealed that Ukrainian refugee families received acceptance, adequate housing, cultural ties, and religious freedom in Ruzomberok. However, they encountered challenges such as limited access to the labor market, language barriers, limited access to healthcare, limited information, and limited social networks. The study also underlined the vulnerability of single-parent Ukrainian refugee families in accessing opportunities compared to those with two parents in Ruzomberok. Social workers facilitated various strategies to support integration, including housing, resource allocation, information sharing, social connections, and stakeholder collaboration. Challenges for social workers included trust-building, insufficient information, communication difficulties, a shortage of practitioners, and insufficient government support. Finally, the research found that the ‘model of effective integration approach’ was effective and successful for the Ukrainian refugees' families in their integration process in Ruzomberok.