Poster #111 - Identity Negotiation and Motivations in Syrian-American Adolescents

• In Event: Poster Session 18

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical period for identity development and establishing a sense of belonging. Since 9/11, a vast amount of research has been conducted to understand discrimination and systematic racism against Arab and Muslim families and youth (Sirin et al., 2021). Following the tragedy of 9/11, the civil war in Syria has exacerbated the public attitude to immigrants, of Syrian origin. While negative attitudes are reported to have a negative influence on children and families, it is important to understand how positive identity development is established by young people, who stay resilient during this time. In this study, we aimed to understand how Syrian youth living in the U.S. navigate their own ethnic, religious, and social identities and ground their motivations. Using a grounded theory approach we conducted 10 semi-structured interviews with first and second-generation Syrian adolescents living in the United States. We also employed identity map drawing in our analysis. We conducted a thematic analysis to analyze the resulting interviews to explore any common themes. We aimed to gain a better understanding of the identity formation process within Syrian immigrant and refugee youth through the use of verbal as well as non-verbal expression tools.

For this study, we recruited Syrian adolescents between the ages of 14-19 years old (M=16.4, SD= 0.4) currently living in the United States. The participants needed to be either first or second generation with at least one parent of Syrian descent. Semi-structured interviews with a specific focus on ethnic identity, language, religion, and discrimination were utilized for this study as they allowed for open-ended responses and further exploration of certain topics that might be of interest to particular participants. Preliminary data analysis shows that cultural brokering, transmitting the family values, feeling the need to sacrifice, and forcing self to be open to adapt were the main themes that gather around motivations and identity negotiations of the Syrian youth. Further analysis of the data will encompass the identity maps along with thematic analysis.
Based on the prevalence of discrimination and microaggressions that Arab and Muslim youth face, it is important to understand the coping mechanisms of the youth to shed the light on any intervention programs that target immigrant youth as well as society. Through this qualitative study, we aim to understand the hidden and missed factors that would be helpful for immigrant youth who might not have the opportunity to stay resilient. Results from the thematic analysis will implicate the possible interventions and tools for future interventions.

Authors

• Ruyam Canan Tugberk, New York University
  Presenting Author

• Nadia Barouk

• Selcuk R. Sirin, New York University