Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis

This study analyzed meaning attributions regarding “family” and “chosen family” by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Gender Queer, Queer, Intersex, Agender, Asexual, and other Queer-identifying community (LGBTQ+) refugees. The meaning and significance of a chosen family in the newly es...

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Main Authors: Seohyun Kim, Israel Fisseha Feyissa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/4/369
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author Seohyun Kim
Israel Fisseha Feyissa
author_facet Seohyun Kim
Israel Fisseha Feyissa
author_sort Seohyun Kim
collection DOAJ
description This study analyzed meaning attributions regarding “family” and “chosen family” by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Gender Queer, Queer, Intersex, Agender, Asexual, and other Queer-identifying community (LGBTQ+) refugees. The meaning and significance of a chosen family in the newly established life of the refugees was also pin-pointed for its value of safekeeping the wellbeing and settlement process. We analyzed narrative statements given by 67 LGBTQ+ refugees from 82 YouTube videos. Using InfraNodus, a text graph analysis tool, we identified pathways for meaning circulation within the narrative data, and generated a contextualized meaning for family and chosen family. The conceptualization process produced a deduction within family relationships, exploring why people, other than in biological relationships, appear to be vital in their overall wellbeing and settlement, as well as the process through which this occurs. Biological family is sometimes associated with words that instigate fear, danger, and insecurity, while the concept of chosen family is associated with words like trusting, like-minded, understanding, welcoming, loving, committed, etc. The results of the study are intended to add knowledge to the gap by showing the types and characteristics of family relationships in LGBTQ+ refugee settings. It is also a call for the relevant research community to produce more evidence in such settings, as this is essential for obtaining a better understanding of these issues.
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spelling doaj.art-a8112254a5394da2b3734a76103a31842023-11-21T12:04:53ZengMDPI AGHealthcare2227-90322021-03-019436910.3390/healthcare9040369Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph AnalysisSeohyun Kim0Israel Fisseha Feyissa1Department of Social Welfare, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54888, KoreaDepartment of Social Welfare, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54888, KoreaThis study analyzed meaning attributions regarding “family” and “chosen family” by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Pansexual, Transgender, Gender Queer, Queer, Intersex, Agender, Asexual, and other Queer-identifying community (LGBTQ+) refugees. The meaning and significance of a chosen family in the newly established life of the refugees was also pin-pointed for its value of safekeeping the wellbeing and settlement process. We analyzed narrative statements given by 67 LGBTQ+ refugees from 82 YouTube videos. Using InfraNodus, a text graph analysis tool, we identified pathways for meaning circulation within the narrative data, and generated a contextualized meaning for family and chosen family. The conceptualization process produced a deduction within family relationships, exploring why people, other than in biological relationships, appear to be vital in their overall wellbeing and settlement, as well as the process through which this occurs. Biological family is sometimes associated with words that instigate fear, danger, and insecurity, while the concept of chosen family is associated with words like trusting, like-minded, understanding, welcoming, loving, committed, etc. The results of the study are intended to add knowledge to the gap by showing the types and characteristics of family relationships in LGBTQ+ refugee settings. It is also a call for the relevant research community to produce more evidence in such settings, as this is essential for obtaining a better understanding of these issues.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/4/369chosen familyfamilyLGBTQ+ refugeestext network graph analysismeaning conceptualizationwellbeing and sexuality
spellingShingle Seohyun Kim
Israel Fisseha Feyissa
Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis
Healthcare
chosen family
family
LGBTQ+ refugees
text network graph analysis
meaning conceptualization
wellbeing and sexuality
title Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis
title_full Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis
title_fullStr Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis
title_short Conceptualizing “Family” and the Role of “Chosen Family” within the LGBTQ+ Refugee Community: A Text Network Graph Analysis
title_sort conceptualizing family and the role of chosen family within the lgbtq refugee community a text network graph analysis
topic chosen family
family
LGBTQ+ refugees
text network graph analysis
meaning conceptualization
wellbeing and sexuality
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/4/369
work_keys_str_mv AT seohyunkim conceptualizingfamilyandtheroleofchosenfamilywithinthelgbtqrefugeecommunityatextnetworkgraphanalysis
AT israelfissehafeyissa conceptualizingfamilyandtheroleofchosenfamilywithinthelgbtqrefugeecommunityatextnetworkgraphanalysis