A Phenomenological Inquiry of Asylum Seekers' Migration Trauma and Adjustment in the United States

Individuals seeking asylum in the host country often face pre- and post-migration circumstances in which multiple stressors can adversely impact their mental health and overall well-being. In this study, we employed a phenomenological approach using in-depth interviews to illuminate the experiences of trauma and adjustment among asylum seekers in the US. Through criterion-referenced purposive sampling, we completed interviews with five participants, which yielded five overarching themes and eight subthemes. Themes included danger and discrimination leading to asylum, systemic and personal challenges, intersecting and compounding stressors, navigating complex stressors, and access to supports and resources. A discussion of the findings and implications for counseling practice, education, research, and advocacy are presented.