Cognitive Mapping: An innovative approach to motivating behavioral change in Burundian refugees

Burundian refugees began arriving in an East Tennessee community in August, 2007. Over 350 Burundians now live in this community. Initial focus groups in 2008 established baselines for the perceptions, expectations and beliefs about life since the war in Burundi in 1972. We were able to document their hopes and dreams upon arrival through this community participatory process.  

Five years later, this study shares the results of personal interviews with the same group of Burundians using a cognitive mapping process designed to capture what language doesn’t convey well in traditional research settings. Results of the study reveal that this process is effective in identifying real and perceived gaps in health access, basic services, education and living conditions based on the perceptions and priorities of the community.

Ryan, Dooley and Benson (2008) wrote candidly about the need for a Resource-based Model when attempting to better understand the needs of refugees. In an attempt to do just this, cognitive mapping was the bridge to better understand the resources refugees thought they needed to be better positioned to become healthy citizens of the United States. This non-imposing and fun process opens doors to the values and beliefs of each individual, shedding light on what forms their attitudes and motivates their behaviors. A demonstration of the Cognitive Mapping Process and our findings will be presented.

Ryan, D., Dooley, B., & Benson, C. (2008). Theoretical perspectives on post-migration adaptation and psychological well-being among refugees: Towards a resource-based model. Journal of Refugee Studies, 21(1), 1–18.