Understanding the experiences of immigration and wellbeing in people of Sikh faith living in the UK

: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Background and Rationale: The UK is known as a multicultural society, with migration at an all-time high, (Census 2022). The South Asian population makes up one of the largest ethnic groups in the UK with the Sikh population contributing significantly to this. However, there is limited literature which aims to understand the lived experiences of adjustment and wellbeing in this population.
Aim and method: This thesis therefore focuses on the lived experiences of adjustment and wellbeing in Sikh men who migrated to the UK. Using the acculturation framework (Berry, 1997) this study aimed to gain an understanding of how Sikh men may position themselves in the UK. One-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted using a qualitative paradigm. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was used to gain in-depth accounts of participants migration journeys.
Results: The results yielded four Group Experiential Themes (GETS): The experience of change and continuity, participants aimed to understand the process of change and how this contributed to their growth and identity. The west as a promised land, which suggested that participants viewed the UK as allowing for more prosperity and success compared to India. The third GET, choosing and navigating settled paths, described participants’journey to the UK in distinct stages, from their initial stage, the interim stage and the present stage. Although participants shared a similar description of stages, their reactions differed. The final GET, the experience of being othered and othering, reported on participants experiences of feeling bothered or displaying othering practices within their talk.
Implications: Research implications of these themes are explored both in the theoretical understanding and the contribution to clinical practice. Strengths, limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Date of Award	7 Dec 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton
Supervisor	Paul Dickerson (Director of Studies) & Onel Brooks (Co-Supervisor)