{"title":"Learning to live with the unresolved grief of migration: The ambiguity of leaving behind after the earthquake and adaptation.","authors":"Eda Albayrak Günday, Kübra Gülırmak Güler","doi":"10.1177/00207640251323342","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>This research examines the ambiguity of the migration process experienced by earthquake victims who had to migrate following the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake disaster in 2023 and their adaptation to their new lives.</p><p><strong>Background: </strong>The post-earthquake migration process can leave people with uncertainty and the problems that come with it. The uncertainty experienced by these individuals has not been addressed in the literature, and these experiences are important.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, which was conducted using the phenomenological research design, the snowball sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used. The data was collected face-to-face with 19 earthquake victims through 30 to 40-min in-depth interviews. Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis method was used to analyze the data obtained.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>According to the analysis results, there are three main categories (From the Earthquake Shock to a New Life: The Journey of Migration and Adaptation, Identity Transformation Caused by Migration: The Adventure of Adapting to a New Life, Dreams and Goals for the Future: A New Beginning in the Pursuit of Hope) and five themes (Getting Lost in the Dark Labyrinths of Migration, The Difficult Journey of Adaptation After Migration, Loss of Identity and Cultural Storms, Broken Ropes and Longing Times, Future Plans and Optimism) that have emerged.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The research shows that migrating earthquake victims are in an environment of uncertainty where they do not know what to do, experience identity crises and cultural conflict after migration, long for the past, and have difficulty adapting. It is also noteworthy that immigrants remain generally optimistic and maintain their hopes for their future despite their problems. Practitioners serving immigrant populations are recommended to integrate grief and loss support into the spiritual care process through psychoeducation, assessments, and therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":14304,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","volume":" ","pages":"207640251323342"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Social Psychiatry","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640251323342","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aim: This research examines the ambiguity of the migration process experienced by earthquake victims who had to migrate following the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake disaster in 2023 and their adaptation to their new lives.
Background: The post-earthquake migration process can leave people with uncertainty and the problems that come with it. The uncertainty experienced by these individuals has not been addressed in the literature, and these experiences are important.
Methods: In this study, which was conducted using the phenomenological research design, the snowball sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used. The data was collected face-to-face with 19 earthquake victims through 30 to 40-min in-depth interviews. Colaizzi's phenomenological analysis method was used to analyze the data obtained.
Results: According to the analysis results, there are three main categories (From the Earthquake Shock to a New Life: The Journey of Migration and Adaptation, Identity Transformation Caused by Migration: The Adventure of Adapting to a New Life, Dreams and Goals for the Future: A New Beginning in the Pursuit of Hope) and five themes (Getting Lost in the Dark Labyrinths of Migration, The Difficult Journey of Adaptation After Migration, Loss of Identity and Cultural Storms, Broken Ropes and Longing Times, Future Plans and Optimism) that have emerged.
Discussion: The research shows that migrating earthquake victims are in an environment of uncertainty where they do not know what to do, experience identity crises and cultural conflict after migration, long for the past, and have difficulty adapting. It is also noteworthy that immigrants remain generally optimistic and maintain their hopes for their future despite their problems. Practitioners serving immigrant populations are recommended to integrate grief and loss support into the spiritual care process through psychoeducation, assessments, and therapy.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry, established in 1954, is a leading publication dedicated to the field of social psychiatry. It serves as a platform for the exchange of research findings and discussions on the influence of social, environmental, and cultural factors on mental health and well-being. The journal is particularly relevant to psychiatrists and multidisciplinary professionals globally who are interested in understanding the broader context of psychiatric disorders and their impact on individuals and communities.
Social psychiatry, as a discipline, focuses on the origins and outcomes of mental health issues within a social framework, recognizing the interplay between societal structures and individual mental health. The journal draws connections with related fields such as social anthropology, cultural psychiatry, and sociology, and is influenced by the latest developments in these areas.
The journal also places a special emphasis on fast-track publication for brief communications, ensuring that timely and significant research can be disseminated quickly. Additionally, it strives to reflect its international readership by publishing state-of-the-art reviews from various regions around the world, showcasing the diverse practices and perspectives within the psychiatric disciplines. This approach not only contributes to the scientific understanding of social psychiatry but also supports the global exchange of knowledge and best practices in mental health care.