Ethnographic Case Analysis of Networks of Care for Migrants and Refugees in Poland and the Republic of Georgia: Influences of Non-governmental Organizations, Interorganizational Communication, and Social Capital on Health and Integration

Urszula Anna Horoszko

Advisor: Gary L. Kreps, PhD, Department of Communication

Committee Members: Richard T. Craig, Kevin B. Wright

Online Location,
July 14, 2025, 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM

Abstract:

This dissertation investigates the health challenges experienced by migrants and refugees (M&Rs) in Eastern Europe, and how local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) address these challenges, support M&R integration, and participate in the broader migration and health management infrastructure. The research problem centers on the barriers to health and well-being faced by M&Rs, and the roles that NGOs and their social networks play in mitigating those barriers.

The study employs a multimethodological, comparative case study approach to analyze the practices and broader ecosystems of two mutually collaborating organizations located in Tbilisi, Georgia, and Lublin, Poland. Data collection includes semi-structured interviews with M&R clients and NGO staff, ethnographic observation, and analysis of secondary sources. The Critical Incident Technique and Mapping Method are used to elicit detailed narratives about health and migration experiences and map organizational networks and complex stakeholder roles. Social support and social capital are central to the study’s theoretical framework and data collection process, with interview guides designed to capture key dimensions of social capital and types of social support. 

Qualitative data analysis reveals that M&Rs face significant health disparities due to intersecting biomedical, structural, social, and communicative factors. Social support and social capital are identified as essential in buffering these challenges. The research highlights the role of NGOs as intermediaries in improving M&R access to health resources and their health outcomes.

I conclude that collaborative, NGO-led interventions prioritizing social support and social capital are crucial for promoting M&R health and the success of health communication programs addressing their needs. By comparing different contexts, policy environments, and groups, the research provides actionable insights for designing effective health interventions addressing major barriers, while underscoring the critical role of local NGOs in fostering resilience and well-being among M&Rs, in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Key words: social support; social capital, the Mapping Method, migrant and refugee health, civil society, ethnography, Eastern Europe

https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93812783475