Publication Date

2017

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Qualitative

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Islamophobia-United States, September 11 Terrorist Attacks 2001-Influence, Muslims-United States-Social conditions, Muslims-Mental health-United States, Xenophobia, Psychic trauma, Muslim American, 9/11, Discrimination, Prejudice, Racism, Psychological suffering, Collective trauma, Identity, Identity formation, Identity negotiation, Psychological impact, Mental health, Resilience, Muslim

Abstract

The rise of Islamophobia has undoubtedly disrupted the identity and way of life of Muslim Americans in the last decade and half. This study centers the voices of eight Muslim Americans discussing the mental health impact of anti-Muslim discrimination and prejudice, the pervasiveness of xenophobic and Islamophobic perspectives in the U.S., and the normalization and acceptance of discrimination as evidenced by the presidential victory of Donald Trump.

The major findings of this study indicate that the marginalization and othering of Muslim Americans have manifested in adverse psychological symptoms including fear, stress, worry, isolation, numbness, desensitization and insecurity. In addition, this study explores how one renegotiates Muslim American identity after the denigration of their faith. Collective Trauma Theory is utilized to address both the larger scale impact that Islamophobia presents to the collective consciousness of this community, as well as the resilience of the Muslim American community as a collective unit.

Language

English

Comments

iii, 77 pages. Includes bibliographical references (pages 62-67)

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