Moore, T;
Burgess, R;
Katona, C;
(2021)
Finding agency in limbo: a qualitative investigation into the impact of occupational engagement on mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers in the U.K.
Transcultural Psychiatry
(In press).
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Abstract
The process of seeking asylum is complex, and often leads to extended periods of limbo for millions of people awaiting decisions on their status. Engagement in occupation – defined as meaningful activities and roles that bring purpose and agency to one’s life- is suggested as a key driver for mental health recovery for marginalised populations, including asylum seekers with traumatic experiences pre- and post-migration. How does occupational engagement impact one’s mental health and wellbeing while existing in the asylum system? How do asylum seekers maintain engagement in occupation in the context of socio-political constraints of the asylum process? We explored the occupational experiences of 12 clients of one human-rights charity, utilising community-based participatory research methods. Participants completed group mapping sessions (n =4 sessions with 11 total participants) where participants depicted routine journeys taken to perform occupations in London, which included discussion around the significance of their journeys. Four participants also completed additional “walking maps” - semi-structured interviews which occurred along a selected “occupational journey” self-identified as meaningful to their wellbeing. All Data were analysed using thematic network analysis. Findings revealed that engagement in routine occupations within safe, social spaces positively affects the mental wellbeing of asylum seekers by promoting competence, agency and feelings of belonging. The liminal space of the asylum process meant that participants’ occupational engagement was limited to ‘leisure’ activities but were still critical to establishing forms of agency associated with their wellbeing. Implications for programmes and interventions responding to the needs of asylum seekers are discussed
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