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The Emotional Impact of Forced Migration on Iranian-Americans

Golestaneh, Hamideh
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1455342490

Abstract Details

2015, Psy. D., Antioch University, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology.
In this phenomenological study, thematic analysis was used to gain a better understanding of the lived experience of six Iranian-Americans who left Iran for safety and a better life. The researcher assessed the participants’ journey phase by phase, to get a deeper understanding of the phenomenon. Overall, emigrating from Iran had both negative and positive outcomes. Six main domains emerged while trying to understand the lived experiences of the participants on the journey, including its emotional impact and how they coped. Data analysis yielded 6 domains and 16 themes: 1. Incentive to leave: (a) Political and civil unrest, (b) Minimal opportunities to obtain resources, (c) Religious discrimination; 2. Initial emotional respond: (a) Excitement, (b) Stress, (c) Numbness / confusion; 3. The journey: (a) Coping with physical and environmental discomfort, (b) Coping with food and water deprivation, (c) Witnessing or experiencing threat to one’s life or safety, (4) Experiencing loss: (a) Loss from Material detachment, (b) Loss from Emotional detachment, 5. Receiving support: (a) Family and friends’ support, (b) Strangers’ support, (c) Organizations’ support, and 6. Outcome: (a) Emotional impact of the journey, (b) Life satisfaction. Although the respondents lamented the loss of community life in Iran, and experienced misery on the journey, they were uplifted by the support they received, which eased their pain and kept them hopeful and strong in the face of adversity. Participants used a combination of Cognitive Approach and Avoidant Coping in different stages of their journey. Of the six participants, five were grateful for their migration to the United Sates and satisfied about their current lifestyle. Implications for clinical practice and future research are included in this study. The electronic version of this dissertation is available free at OhioLink ETD Center, www.ohiolink.edu/etd.
Sharleen O'Brein , Ph.D (Committee Chair)
Rajan Indhushree, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Taghi Amjadi, Ph.D. (Other)
111 p.
Behavioral Psychology; Behaviorial Sciences; Bilingual Education; Clinical Psychology; Cognitive Therapy; Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology
Coping Mechanism; Iranian-American; Forced Migration; Migration; Adaptation; Meaning; refugee; resilience; hardiness; social support; emotional impact; mental health; Loss of belonging; Loss of identity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Golestaneh, H. (2015). The Emotional Impact of Forced Migration on Iranian-Americans [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1455342490

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Golestaneh, Hamideh. The Emotional Impact of Forced Migration on Iranian-Americans . 2015. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1455342490.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Golestaneh, Hamideh. "The Emotional Impact of Forced Migration on Iranian-Americans ." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1455342490

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1455342490
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© 2015, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.