From Trauma to Resilience - Understanding the Migration and Integration Experiences of Yazidi Youth

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Finnigan_Charlotte_PhD_2025_Thesis.pdf (2.59 MB)

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2025-11-21

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Abstract

Yazidis are an ethno-religious minority group who have experienced severe and prolonged exposure to extreme violence for centuries. In 2014, the Yazidi population was the target of the 74th recorded genocide against their population. The complex and intergenerational trauma that Yazidis have endured impacts their well-being and contributes to resettlement challenges. While their adjustment experiences have been explored within the literature, there is a need for research that is Canadian based, focuses on the perspectives of youth, and explores their resettlement experiences in the years following relocation, as well as research that prioritizes creating action and change to address their needs. This integrated article dissertation employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to explore the migration and integration experiences of Yazidi youth refugees. The first two papers (chapters two and three) used group concept mapping to explore the perspective of 12 Yazidi youth regarding their migration and integration challenges and successes. Results from chapter two (challenges) yielded seven concepts: 1) family stress and adjustment, 2) the experience of instability and fear, 3) navigating the differences between countries, 4) starting over, 5) getting used to school, 6) impact of war, and 7) my own discomfort. Results from chapter three (successes) also produced seven unique concepts: 1) experiences at school, 2) connection with family and friends, 3) accepting it takes time, 4) sense of security, 5) community agency support, 6) feeling liberated, and 7) feeling like I belong. The third and last paper (chapter 4) utilized Photovoice, an arts-based research design, to explore the perspective of 11 youth. Five themes emerged through collaborative discussion: 1) educating others on Yazidis and our experiences, 2) bullying and racism, 3) help families in Iraq, 4) rise against the oppressive government, and 5) desire to be there to help. These findings highlight the existence and potential for posttraumatic growth. Together, the results from these studies underscore the unique migration experiences of Yazidi youth refugees, highlighting the co-existence of trauma and resilience. Key considerations for ongoing support, including community based care and policy revisions, have been made that align with the youths’ self-expressed needs.

Summary for Lay Audience

Refugees are people who have been forced to leave their home countries because staying would put their safety or lives at risk. This sets them apart from immigrants, who relocate in search of a better life. The Yazidis are one such community, and they have been the target of severe violence for generations. In 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attacked the Yazidi population, with the goal of extinction. This was the 74th recorded attempt to eliminate the Yazidi people. This long and intense history of trauma has affected nearly every part of their resettlement in new countries. This research focused on exploring the experiences of Yazidi youth as they build new lives in Canada, working with them collaboratively to understand their needs and support meaningful change. This was explored in a series of 3 research papers. The first two papers used individual interviews with 12 youth to explore their perspectives on their migration and integration. Paper 1 (chapter 2) focused on the challenges they faced, while paper 2 (chapter 3) focused on highlighting their successes. To analyze the interviews, the youth first grouped statements they felt belonged together in a sorting activity. The research team then reviewed a computer-based analysis of their sorting data, which identified seven main challenges: 1) family stress and adjustment, 2) the experience of instability and fear, 3) navigating the differences between countries, 4) starting over, 5) getting used to school, 6) impact of war, and 7) my own discomfort. Seven concepts were also used to capture their successes: 1) experiences at school, 2) connection with family and friends, 3) accepting it takes time, 4) sense of security, 5) community agency support, 6) feeling liberated, and 7) feeling like I belong. The final paper used an arts-based design. Here, 11 participants took photos to represent their migration and integration experiences. After individually sharing their photos, they worked together to create a group story. From this process, five themes emerged that reflected elements of trauma and growth: 1) educating others on Yazidis and our experiences, 2) bullying and racism, 3) help families in Iraq, 4) rise against the oppressive government, and 5) desire to be there to help. Taken all together, the findings from all three papers highlighted the unique migration journeys and experiences of Yazidi youth. The results suggested that trauma and resilience can coexist. These findings were used to suggest ways to support Yazidi’s ongoing resettlement, including programs and advocating for policy change, that directly reflected the needs the youth identified themselves.

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Keywords

Refugee youth, Yazidi refugees, Concept mapping, Photovoice, Participatory action research, Migration

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/39182

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