African Refugee Youths' Stories of Surviving Trauma and Transition in U.S. Public Schools

IF 0.5 Q4 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of Muslim Mental Health Pub Date : 2015-01-18 DOI:10.3998/JMMH.10381607.0009.101

Badiah Haffejee

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引用次数: 13

Abstract

The educational landscape for the United States has continued to shift with the arrival of African Muslim youth with refugee status. This phenomenological study examines the lived experiences of college-aged refugees (ages 18-22) attending various public (community and 4-year) colleges in the western United States. The participants' (N=12) narratives address the carryover effects of trauma including the challenges of racism, discrimination, and Islamophobia. This discussion further explores the ways in which African refugee youth navigate and survive these sometimes discouraging challenges within their school setting. The findings suggested that strong parental bonds, religiosity, ethnic and cultural solidarity, as well as youths' determination and motivation to attain their academic goals counterbalanced hostile experiences from their U.S.-born peers. This article concludes by (a) proposing that educators look beyond curriculum goals and the depersonalized structures, and (b) reasserting the important role of social workers in academic institutions providing culturally responsive mental health services to African Muslim students from refugee backgrounds. Keywords: African refugees, youth, trauma, racism, education, resiliency

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非洲难民青年在美国公立学校中幸存的创伤和转变的故事

随着具有难民身份的非洲穆斯林青年的到来，美国的教育格局继续发生变化。本现象学研究考察了在美国西部不同公立(社区和四年制)大学就读的大学适龄难民(18-22岁)的生活经历。参与者(N=12)的叙述涉及创伤的遗留影响，包括种族主义、歧视和伊斯兰恐惧症的挑战。本讨论进一步探讨了非洲难民青年在学校环境中如何应对和应对这些有时令人沮丧的挑战。研究结果表明，牢固的父母关系、宗教信仰、种族和文化团结，以及年轻人实现学业目标的决心和动力，抵消了美国出生的同龄人的敌对经历。本文的结论是(a)建议教育工作者超越课程目标和非个性化结构，(b)重申社会工作者在学术机构中的重要作用，为来自难民背景的非洲穆斯林学生提供符合文化的心理健康服务。关键词:非洲难民，青年，创伤，种族主义，教育，复原力

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来源期刊

Journal of Muslim Mental Health PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

1.00

自引率

11.10%

发文量

审稿时长

25 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Muslim Mental Health is an interdisciplinary peer-reviewed academic journal and publishes articles exploring social, cultural, medical, theological, historical, and psychological factors affecting the mental health of Muslims in the United States and globally. The journal publishes research and clinical material, including research articles, reviews, and reflections on clinical practice. The Journal of Muslim Mental Health is a much-needed resource for professionals seeking to identify and explore the mental health care needs of Muslims in all areas of the world.