Virtual Qualitative Interviews with Immigrant and Refugee Youth: Lessons Learned for and Beyond the Pandemic

Abstract

We present two distinct studies that were conducted between August 2020 and June 2021 in a virtual environment on the mental health experiences of Rohingya Muslim refugee and first and second-generation immigrant Latine youth. We offer our insights and perspectives on methodological benefits and challenges in conducting virtual qualitative interviews with diverse refugee and immigrant youth. We also recommend useful strategies and discuss how to best implement them in qualitative research. Furthermore, we discuss the ways in which our positionalities—as Black and Brown women who come from refugee and immigrant backgrounds—shape and inform our work with the youth and their families. Implications for future qualitative research methods are discussed.