Forced migration and psychological resilience

This study explored the experiences of forced migrants in Turkey by employing a qualitative methodology. The researcher was aimed to understand the experiences of forced migrants by collecting data related to their pre migration, during migration and post migration stressors and the role of resilience. The semi-structural in-depth interviews conducted with Iraqi Turkmenia's (n=7) who resettled in Ankara Turkey. The interpretative phenomenological analysis was utilized. Results indicated that forced migrants were experiencing a tremendous number of difficulties and issues that exacerbate their vulnerabilities. Despite all these hardships, forced migrants were also found to have both internal and external resilience strategies to be empowered and bounced back. While forced migrants' resilience enhanced by personal characteristics; coping skills and the support system; it might be hindered by the role of traumatic experiences, living conditions, discrimination. The findings might be helpful for psychologists, social workers, policymakers, and non-governmental organizations to gain inside about forced migrants and their resilience.