Individuals displaced from their countries and resettled in the U.S. frequently articulate achievement in ways that surpass mere economic independence, as revealed by a recent study co-authored by scholars at Washington University in St. Louis. This research, published in the March 2025 edition of the Refugee Survey Quarterly, questions long-standing beliefs regarding the criteria for successful resettlement in the United States.

Although the refugees participating in the research acknowledged the importance of employment and self-sufficiency, they articulated a broader vision of success — which includes supporting their families, reclaiming dignity, acclimating to a new environment, and contributing positively to their communities. Such personal and societal objectives are often neglected in typical policy frameworks that emphasize quick employment and financial autonomy. The results imply that adopting a more comprehensive approach to resettlement that aligns with refugees’ own definitions of success could enhance long-term integration prospects.

The researchers carried out comprehensive interviews with 36 adult refugees from Iraq and the Democratic Republic of the Congo who had resettled in Denver and St. Louis. Despite facing economic difficulties, 89% of participants indicated that their resettlement experience marked the most successful phase of their lives. The researchers speculate that this perception may stem from the fact that learning a new language and adjusting to a different country seemed less daunting compared to the adversities they previously encountered.

The research paper, “How Refugees Conceptualise Success: Grounding Definitions and Examining Heterogeneity,” was spearheaded by the primary author Ilana Seff, a research assistant professor at the Brown School. Co-authors and co-principal investigators from WashU included Margot Moinester, an assistant professor of sociology in the Arts & Sciences division, and Lindsay Stark, a professor within the School of Public Health. Other contributors featured first author Cyril Bennouna, a research affiliate at the University of Denver, Ali Lateef, quality assurance supervisor at the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration in St. Louis, and Najat Qushua, a research data analyst at the Brown School.

The article Refugees define success on their own terms, study finds was first published on The Source.