The Subjective and Economic Well-Being of Repatriated Liberian Refugees from Ghana

This article uses a mixed-method approach, drawing on both qualitative as well as quantitative methods to assess the well-being of former Liberian refugees after their return from exile in Ghana. This investigation, the only mixed-method research project on the under-researched topic of repatriations, conceptualises well-being of two kinds: emotional, subjective well-being which is measured through psychological self-assessment scales, and economic well-being which is measured empirically through proxy factors such as access to food and public services. The article's quantitative data demonstrate that the overall emotional, subjective well-being of Liberian refugees has noticeably increased after their return to Liberia, and cites ethnographic examples of how respondents feel less culturally alienated and mistreated after repatriation to Liberia than they had in Ghana. Nonetheless other data show that economic well-being measured by access to public services and other empirical criteria, has deteriorated substantially since their return. While many refugees hold positive views of repatriation, outcomes differ significantly based on age and gender. Finally, the authors argue that policy-makers should commission studies using a mixed-method approach to assess the outcomes of repatriation.