Resilience explored in a cross-cultural context

Abstract

This thesis and its studies look at the construct of resilience in different demographics of migrants: (i) permanent, first-generation migrants, (ii) temporary migrants, (ii) 2nd and 3rd generation migrants, and (iv) domestic UK population exploring in what way migrant-specific risk factors, such as the impact of moving away from social support networks, culture, language impact migrant resilience. Further, this thesis explores which protective factors seem to be dominant within these demographics and whether levels of resilience differ between the groups. That is, whether the effects of having spent a substantial part of their years in a cross-cultural environment, and whether the challenges and changes this lifestyle encompasses will make members of these demographics differ in resilience compared to their domestic counterparts. In addition, these studies examine to what extent contextual similarities or differences help explain the levels of resilience within the studied demographics. Lastly, the impact of adversity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on resilience pre-and-post the initial phases of the pandemic are investigated. Results from initial studies indicate that people from UK migrant groups are significantly more resilient than peers who do not leave their country of origin. The findings and implications of these studies are further and in-depth discussed.