Migrants and Refugees Perceived Benefits of Learning Mindfulness for Resilience Building in Australia

According to research, migrants and refugees experience many challenges and difficulties in the post-migration context which can impede successful resettlement efforts (Colic-Piesker & Tilbury 2003; Casimiro, Hancock & Northcote 2007). Recent research from the Scanlon Foundation’s Mapping Social Cohesion series indicates that at the community level, at local neighbourhoods perceptions of cohesion and harmony among people of different ethnic groups have decreased (Markus, 2016). The report also shows that experiences of ethnic discrimination have increased, particularly in the form of being made to feel a lack of belonging (Markus, 2016). These findings are worrying as they could negatively affect integration efforts, prosperity and productivity in the long term. Accordingly, the current research seeks to understand how post-migration experiences of migrants and refugees (including perceptions of social cohesion) affect their well-being. A particular focus is on the experiences of stress and the subsequent coping strategies which are employed. Interview data with 40 participants from Study 1 indicated that migrants and refugees of diverse ethnic backgrounds experienced various stressors for which there is a lack of resources for the individual’s capacity to cope, especially in terms of emotional and mental well-being. Study 2 involved developing and implementing a 4 week mindfulness skills development program specifically for migrants, as informed by Study 1. The presentation will discuss the findings from in depth interviews with 9 migrants concerning their experiences of attending a mindfulness program to help build resilience in the post-migration context.