Facing challenges and drawing strength from adversity: Lived experiences of Tibetan refugee youth in exile in India

Sapam, Kiran Dolly; Jijina, Parisha

doi:10.1080/20797222.2020.1850489

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Here, we describe how platforms off er themselves as a space where social life can be lived. For those on the move, smartphones and other devices are lifelines that help them navigate through countries, bureaucratic mazes, and other unknowns (for an in-depth discussion on the specifi c case of unaccompanied youth, see Mendoza Pérez & Morgade Salgado, 2019; Neag & Supa, 2020;Sapam & Jijina, 2020). At the same time, as we have found, these platforms are actual living spaces.…”

Section: Findings: Th E Ontological Existence Of the Migrant Platformed Bodymentioning

confidence: 67%

Embodied technology use:

Neag

Sefton‐Green²

2022

MedieKultur

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For unaccompanied refugee youth, technology occupies a central role in their lives. It helps them when crossing countries, finding a shelter, and accessing education, or even in negotiating family relations online (e.g., Çelikaksoy & Wadensjö, 2017; Marlowe & Bruns, 2020; Morrice et al., 2020). Research with young refugees shows that social media and smart devices have become essential means to resolve many challenges (Kutscher & Kreß, 2018). The aim of our article is to go beyond a utilitarian view of digital technologies and social media in the lives of migrant youth and show how digital actions can be extensions of bodily communications in relation to, for instance, locating the self within new cities, food, music, and religion. We introduce the concept of the migrant platformed body as a site of struggle for unity that brings past and present into continuous discussion in and through the uses of social media technologies.

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Section: Findings: Th E Ontological Existence Of the Migrant Platformed Bodymentioning

confidence: 67%

Embodied technology use:

Neag

Sefton‐Green²

2022

MedieKultur

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“…These have been highlighted in various interviews and documentation about the community. Sapam and Jijina (2020), in their study on lived experiences of Tibetan refugee youth, have described how renting rooms, setting up small businesses, securing admission to educational institutions and travel, among other such hurdles, continuously present themselves to the Tibetans. Regarding cultural difficulties, racism is rampant, with multiple interviewees being victimised due to their facial features, like the people from the north-eastern state of India.…”

Section: A Comparison Between the Status Of Uyghurs And Tibetansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Refugees in host countries: A comparative study between Uyghurs in Turkey and Tibetans in India

Pandey

2022

Asian Journal of Comparative Politics

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The status of refugees in host nations may depend upon several factors, including the economic situation of the receiving state, political alignments, international commitments, ethnic affinities, the domestic refugee regime, security considerations and bilateral ties with the home country. The study aims to discern the role that bilateral ties and domestic considerations play in the refugee experience. Is there a pattern that can be drawn out from these two factors? The article uses neoclassical realist and critical theories to better understand the phenomena, while employing the case study method to make a comparative study. The study analyses how India and Turkey have dealt with refugees belonging to two ethnic minorities of the Republic of China: the Tibetans and the Uyghurs. The results show that the way the receiving states handle refugees depends greatly on domestic considerations. It becomes clear that even though bilateral ties between the host and the home nation are important, no simple deduction can be made on how this affects the treatment of refugees. Both cases provide varied response patterns; it is only through a blend of realpolitik and critical theory that the phenomena can be understood. Mapping refugees and their movements, as well as their status in the host countries, determines many of the policies created for their welfare. The article therefore attempts to provide a framework for a better understanding of the phenomena by considering bilateral ties and domestic considerations.

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Exploring the socio-political construction of mental health issues of the Tibetan diaspora in India: coping strategies and implications for care

Mittal,

Anshu

2024

IJMHSC

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Introduction Like many diasporas, the Tibetan diaspora has also had cataclysmic events and migratory movements and wish to return to their exiled homeland one day. In their countries of settlement, they face various challenges as they try to cope with their loss and adapt to a new environment. Purpose This study aims to attempt to explore the socio-political construction of the mental health issues and coping strategies of the members from different generations of the Tibetan diaspora in India using the social ecological model as the theoretical framework. This study further aimed to provide suggestions based on findings to inform culturally sensitive care. Design/methodology/approach Using the snowball sampling method, 20 Tibetans residing in North India were interviewed about their socio-political experiences. The obtained narratives were analyzed using thematic content analysis framework by Braun and Clarke (2006). Findings Findings suggest that several socio-political conditions shape the mental health issues of the Tibetans that are inclusive of the acculturative stress, distress, intergenerational trauma and negative affectivity. A range of coping strategies, including spiritual-religious coping, collective coping and nostalgic coping emerged from the analysis. Research limitations/implications This study has few limitations that must be considered to accurately interpret the findings. First, the sample size is small and hence may not be an accurate representation of the entire Tibetan diaspora. Second, the study uses self-reported data that may be subject to personal biases. Third, having been conducted in a specific socio-political context, the findings of this study may not be generalizable to other settings or to the members of the Tibetan diaspora elsewhere. Practical implications The findings of the study will help spread awareness about mental health issues within the Tibetan diasporic community. The study will also help the mental health professionals to recognize the need for culturally responsive approaches to care. It also highlights the need to use the benefits of traditional healing practices, spirituality and cultural identity. The findings also will be relevant to developing interventions that are effective at individual, interpersonal, community and societal levels. The tailored interventions should address political issues surrounding the Tibetans, emphasize on their education and support cultural activities that can be essential for identity affirmation of these individuals. Originality/value Shifting focus: Instead of viewing mental health solely through a psychological lens, it recognizes the powerful influence of political and social forces on their well-being. Generational lens: It explores how different generations within the diaspora grapple with the complexities of exile and its impact on their mental health. Unveiling coping strategies: It goes beyond the diagnosis, showcasing the diverse coping mechanisms used by Tibetans, including spiritual practices, collective support and even nostalgia.

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Facing challenges and drawing strength from adversity: Lived experiences of Tibetan refugee youth in exile in India

Cited by 3 publications

References 33 publications

Embodied technology use:

Embodied technology use:

Refugees in host countries: A comparative study between Uyghurs in Turkey and Tibetans in India

Exploring the socio-political construction of mental health issues of the Tibetan diaspora in India: coping strategies and implications for care

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