Embracing Tension as a Path to Integration
The psychological impact of forced displacement.
Posted September 11, 2025 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch
This post is the second in a three-part series based on a 2023 qualitative study conducted by The Fund for Armenian Relief’s (FAR's) Child Protection Center (CPC) to explore the psychological and social dynamics of forced displacement , using Armenia's integration of more than 115,000 displaced persons from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) as a contemporary case study. In Part 1 , we examined how displacement disrupts identity and belonging and efforts to understand the psychological impacts on both displaced individuals and host societies.
Integration Doesn't Occur in a Vacuum
The arrival of displaced communities creates tensions that hinder integration. Host communities often face frayed social trust issues due to economic instability, limited employment opportunities, and strained public services. Armenia's recent experience with displaced Armenians from neighboring Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) illustrates the complexity and emotional dimensions of this process.
Research conducted by The Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR) employed an interdisciplinary approach, merging sociological, cultural, and psychological theories with extensive qualitative field data collected across various Armenian communities that hosted displaced individuals. The goal was to understand the realities of integration and propose critical theoretical frameworks and inform practical interventions.
Integrated Threat Theory
A critical observation from this study aligns closely with Integrated Threat Theory by Stephan and Stephan (2000). According to this framework, social tension and mistrust between groups typically emerge from four primary perceptions: symbolic threats, realistic threats, intergroup anxiety , and negative stereotypes.
Realistic threats, which involve competition for tangible resources, were evident. One local resident encapsulated this sentiment: "Artsakh Armenians all receive money and aid…which angers the disadvantaged class here." This statement shows how perceived inequities in the allocation of aid and other resources can fuel resentment and heighten host-community anxieties.
Symbolic Threat and Stereotyping
Symbolic threats also emerged prominently. These concerns over perceived cultural or value differences can be seen as "value conflict" (Etzioni, 2014) and are perceived not only on a material level but also on cultural and value levels. Host communities described displaced Armenians as differing in "everything" with a "complaining attitude." Said (1978) defines this as "orientalism"—a constructive representation of the "other" characterized by generalization. This type of stereotyping creates distance and misunderstanding between hosts and newcomers.
In the Armenian context, these stereotypes are expressed through locals who perceive Artsakh Armenians as having a "higher standard of living" or being "demanding." Displaced individuals have their own stereotypes and view locals as "indifferent" or "dismissive," reflecting their own experiences of symbolic threat—feeling alienated or misunderstood.
Empathy Turning to Ambivalence
The dual perception of "sameness and otherness" (Ricouer, 1992) underscores the reciprocal nature of intergroup misunderstanding and emphasizes the critical importance of addressing symbolic threats directly to foster mutual trust. For example, the displaced Artsakhi benefitted from sharing a common ancestry, language, and cultural identity with Armenians in the Republic of Armenia, and this generated organic empathy, which was significantly greater than typically found in heterogeneous displacement situations.
The study also uncovers the complex nature of empathy in integration environments. Initially, host community members demonstrated a cognitive understanding of the plight of displaced persons ("…if we were in their place, we would probably do the same") . This shared identity triggered a massive spontaneous movement of practical assistance and provided an institutional foundation for emotional support over the first six months.
However, this cognitive empathy frequently failed to translate into deeper emotional empathy. This dynamic aligns with Jenks' (2003) notion of "tension of sympathy," a state in which rational understanding coexists with emotional detachment.
When the host community demonstrates this type of ambivalence, it can create friction rather than social cohesion. Genuine integration is built on both cognitive understanding and emotional connection. Recognizing the existence (or emergence) of this type of ambivalence is key to any interventions aimed at fostering authentic empathy.
Tension Is Episodic, Not Chronic
Another vital insight is the episodic nature of community tension. Analysis of empirical data shows that social tension between Artsakh Armenians and locals appears to fluctuate, rather than steadily building over time. Specific triggers, such as food prices, aid disparities, or school enrollments, can cause it to spike, but it often then recedes or evolves into new forms of conflict or coexistence. This pattern indicates a "linear-fluctuating" rather than a cumulative trajectory of intergroup tensions.
In this case, the rapid decline in resources following the initial influx of support was also a contributing factor. Multiple external factors have caused international and government support to fall off quickly, and neither the host group nor the migrants have had an appropriate time to adapt and integrate into their new environment. A rapid reduction in aid exacerbates resource competition, leading to increased episodes of tension among both camps.
For social workers and mental health professionals, recognizing these tension spikes is critical. Rather than interpreting and responding to each one as a new crisis, we can frame these episodes as predictable stress points and focus on targeted interventions and conflict-resolution mechanisms.
Practical Strategies for Psychological Support for Transition and Resilience
Widespread empathy in the initial stage can effectively substitute primary psychological assistance; however, as various tension scenarios emerge, well-planned and quality socio-psychological support services are crucial in this stage. Social workers, clinicians, and community leaders can implement specific practices to ease integration and mitigate tensions:
Addressing "Resource Resentment"
When challenges arise for sustainable aid, strong feelings about resource allocation are inevitable. There is a gap in harmonization between housing support programs, which creates a scenario in which displaced people are more stressed and vulnerable. In terms of tension, this is not a helpful factor. Among our study group, international aid was provided only briefly, primarily to triage the situation and provide immediate assistance to those Artsahki’s who needed it most. Already scarce resources have decreased dramatically during the secondary and current adaptation phases, and support for critical needs, such as employment and housing, has likewise diminished.
It's critical to acknowledge that resource-related grievances aren't purely economic and often hold symbolic meanings tied to dignity, respect, identity, and social hierarchy. "We also have disadvantaged families here who are hungry, who live in temporary housing, but there is no support, while Artsakh Armenians all receive money without exception," cited one local woman.
According to Lichnder's (2016) concept of "congruent social perceptions," this type of discourse reflects how perceptions of "deserving" and "undeserving" beneficiaries are formed under conditions of limited resources. Practitioners should actively identify and address symbolic resentments through transparent communication and equitable resource allocation policies.
Community Dialogue and Shared Narratives
Facilitating honest and inclusive dialogues about community experiences can help dismantle perceived inequalities and challenge harmful stereotypes. Focusing on the shared cultural, historical, and linguistic foundation both communities share creates a basic sense of belonging, according to Smith's (1991) "ethno-symbolic" approach.
Creating opportunities for both displaced and host community members to share personal narratives fosters a deeper mutual understanding and emotional resonance.
Integrated and Inclusive Programs
Integration of Artsakh Armenians into Armenian society presents not only a humanitarian but also a socio-political and urgent economic issue that requires comprehensive, long-term approaches. The adaptability of the host society's institutional and social structures, combined with the resilience potential of Artsakh Armenians, can create what Tenbruk (2014) calls "social reconfiguration"—a reorganization of society that offers new opportunities for social and economic development.
Those offering aid, from social workers to politicians, must acknowledge tensions experienced by both displaced and host communities. Rather than creating programs exclusively for newcomers, we should create spaces designed for joint healing.
Embracing Tension as a Path to Integration
Perhaps one of the most important outcomes of this research is to understand that social tension should not be a failed integration. Instead, these challenges represent a natural step toward resilience and cohesion for both communities. Social workers and community organizers need to recognize the signs of tension and be equipped with the right frameworks to significantly ease this journey. Some of these include trauma-informed care practices, empathy-building rituals, and transparent policy dialogues. These services, alongside more inclusive aid programs, can prevent the development of undesirable scenarios․
The Armenian experience vividly illustrates that integration is neither smooth nor straightforward, but it is always possible. When tension is approached strategically and compassionately, it can serve as a catalyst for stronger community bonds, deeper mutual understanding, and greater collective resilience. Rather than avoiding or fearing tension, communities and practitioners should embrace it as a critical stepping stone toward authentic integration and shared belonging.
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Mira Antonyan, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Fund for Armenia Relief’s Child Protection Center, President of the Armenian Association of Social Workers, and an associate professor at Yerevan State University (YSU).
This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.