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Coping Resources among Forced Migrants in South Africa: Exploring the Role of Character Strengths in Coping, Adjustment, and Flourishing

Author

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  • Aron Tesfai

    (Discipline Psychology, School of Applied Human Science, College of Humanities, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • Laura E. Captari

    (The Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA 02446, USA)

  • Anna Meyer-Weitz

    (Discipline Psychology, School of Applied Human Science, College of Humanities, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4041, South Africa)

  • Richard G. Cowden

    (Human Flourishing Program, Institute for Quantitative Social Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA)

Abstract

This phenomenological qualitative study explored how forced migrants in South Africa cope with violent, traumatic experiences and precarious resettlement conditions. Data came from a larger empirical project examining migration, psychological distress, and coping. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 refugees and asylum seekers ( M age = 30.27, SD age = 9.27; male = 71.43%) who migrated from five African countries to Durban, South Africa. Despite overwhelming stressors, participants described pathways to transcend victimhood and hardship through engaging character strengths in ways that promote post-traumatic growth. Qualitative analysis revealed five overarching domains: spirituality and religiousness, love and kindness, hope and optimism, persistence and fortitude, and gratitude and thankfulness. Findings are framed within positive existential psychology and dual-factor understandings of mental health, which attend to both human suffering and flourishing. Limitations, future research directions, and clinical and community implications are discussed, with attention to the role of character strengths in adaptive coping and psychological well-being. The intergenerational transmission of strengths is explored as one potential means of buffering intergenerational trauma impacts and promoting family post-traumatic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Aron Tesfai & Laura E. Captari & Anna Meyer-Weitz & Richard G. Cowden, 2023. "Coping Resources among Forced Migrants in South Africa: Exploring the Role of Character Strengths in Coping, Adjustment, and Flourishing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2023:i:1:p:50-:d:1310260
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Busra Acar & İbrahim H. Acar & Omar A. Alhiraki & Ola Fahham & Yesim Erim & Ceren Acarturk, 2021. "The Role of Coping Strategies in Post-Traumatic Growth among Syrian Refugees: A Structural Equation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    2. Hiba Abu Suhaiban & Lana Ruvolo Grasser & Arash Javanbakht, 2019. "Mental Health of Refugees and Torture Survivors: A Critical Review of Prevalence, Predictors, and Integrated Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, June.
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