Bridging Borders, Broadening Access

Over one million war-displaced Ukrainians have settled in Germany, many of whom encounter barriers to accessing health information. Social capital theory posits that broader social networks facilitate individuals’ access to information. For migrants and refugees, social capital is closely tied to the intensity of their ties with individuals from their country of origin and their country of residence—hence, their acculturation trajectories. Previous research has largely examined the impact of acculturation on individual information sources, leaving a gap in understanding its effects on the size, composition, and diversity of health information repertoires. This study addresses this gap through a mixed-methods approach, combining diary studies and interviews with 19 war-displaced Ukrainians in Germany. The findings suggest that diverse social contacts increase access to a wider range of sources. While participants’ average repertoire size varied only slightly across acculturation trajectories, those experiencing integration engaged more with sources from diverse origins. Participants experiencing separation predominantly relied on Ukrainian sources, with limited engagement with German sources. The findings suggest an interrelationship between acculturation and health information repertoires. Integration appears to be beneficial both socially and in enhancing access to health information, underscoring the need to support migrant and refugee integration and to promote inclusive health communication.