Psychological Stress and Coping in Adolescent Muslim New Zealanders: A Key Informant Perspective
Adolescence is recognised as a critical time of development that encompasses many changes and challenges. While there are developmental challenges experienced by adolescents in all contexts, within the current global political climate, Muslim youth living in western countries are likely to experience additional psychosocial stressors. The present research sought to explore the stressors, coping resources, and underlying systemic issues that impact on the wellbeing of young Muslims in New Zealand. This thesis describes the findings of a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with 21 key informants who work in close capacity with adolescent Muslims in New Zealand. Themes that emerged from the analysis were that young Muslim New Zealanders struggled with experiences of discrimination, difficulties in negotiating multifaceted identities, and the acute and long-term challenges of migration. These stressors occurred in the context of insufficient support structures within the Muslim community, and a culture of silence on stigmatised issues, in particular mental health. Participants identified several proactive coping resources utilised by young Muslims including family and community support, friendships, and finding strength through their faith. Coping resources perceived by informants as less helpful included attempting to present as less overtly different, looking for belonging in unhelpful relationships, and using unhealthy coping resources. Changes that participants felt would facilitate the wellbeing of Muslim youth included appropriate action by relevant support sectors to address the discrimination present in New Zealand society, developing more culturally inclusive mental health support in New Zealand, and facilitating greater cultural competence amongst professionals. Recommendations also included the need for facilitating increased openness within the Muslim community to some of the difficulties their young people are facing, greater support for the needs of young people within the Muslim community, empowering youth to find strength in their identities, and increased education in the Muslim community to promote systemic change. The findings have significant implications for clinicians working with Muslim youth in western societies and raises critical reflections for wider New Zealand society. The research also provides important insights on how Muslim communities in western societies can better support their youth. A limitation of this research was the reliance on key informants working with Muslim adolescents, rather than undertaking interviews with young people themselves. This methodology does however enable access to a broader understanding of systemic issues affecting the wellbeing of Muslim adolescents from the perspective of those who work closely with them.
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