An exploration of the meaning of occupation to people who seek asylum in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Introduction: Seeking asylum creates circumstances that impact significantly on occupational opportunities, leading to negative outcomes for individuals, families and the host community. Understanding the specific meaning of occupation during this major life transition provides valuable insights regarding occupation cross-culturally, during transition or under socio-legal restrictions. Method: This study employed a phenomenological approach, using a series of in-depth interviews to illuminate the role of occupation in the everyday lives of 10 participants. Findings: All participants spoke of the challenges of the asylum process, and the powerful drive to keep busy. They each identified the special role of occupations done for the benefit of others -family, network or community -linking these with cultural ideals and their own desired outcomes of value and purpose. Conclusion: Occupation has enormous potential for enhancing post-migratory experiences, but the choice of occupation is also important. People strive to move beyond simply 'keeping busy' to find occupations of real meaning that foster connections and purpose, and in particular feed their need to feel valued. Occupations undertaken for the benefit of others connect with culturally appropriate collectivist ideals, and seem to do more to promote 'doing, being, belonging' and 'becoming'.

The value and meaning of a community drop-in service for asylum seekers and refugees

“…Altruistic activities were seen to increase levels of social interaction, life satisfaction and purpose. Smith's (2015) identification of altruism as a core motivation among this population coincides with a view held by the research team that there is a place for research which is proactively altruistic.…”

“…The study reported in this paper centred on a charitable drop-in centre for asylum seekers and refugees based in the North-East of England. The drop-in centre provides services similar to those identified by Smith (2015) and Oliveria (2009) as being valuable, and anecdotal reports from the service users seemed to echo these observations.…”

“…Cultural dispositions towards collectivism were found to influence ways of coping with migration induced occupational disruption. Smith (2015) found that it was important for asylum seekers to be busy with a purpose, but they prized helping others above all else. This links to the theme of altruism.…”

“…For someone with this background, community is a mirror in which one sees, situates and understands oneself. Heigl et al (2011) found that most occupations in a collectivist migrant group were motivated by and for family; similarly, Smith (2015) identified altruistic 'doing' as a prime motivator. Together, these findings help explain the overall drive towards altruism, community and integration through occupational preference found in this study.…”

Recognising occupational therapy in prevention and early intervention

“…Smith (2015) concluded that people who seek asylum in the UK found meaning in occupation, wanted to keep busy and acknowledged the importance of altruistic occupations to benefit others. Gallagher et al (2015) found that disadvantaged young people in Ireland had limited occupational choice and that this risked their wellbeing.…”