This study aims to investigate the influence of social identity change processes on the transition experience and adjustment of 16 male Sub-Saharan African asylum-seekers in Greece using the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC).
Sixteen individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted online. Thematic analysis was carried out to identify, organise and interpret patterns of meaning in the dataset.
The results indicated that maintaining a sense of social identity continuity as asylum-seekers navigated life change, enabled them to access important psychosocial resources for their successful transition. Similar benefits were documented where participants could derive resources from emergent post-migratory identities and enrich their social self. However, significant identity change challenges also emerged with negative effects on their adjustment and well-being.
Being the first qualitative exploration of SIMIC in the asylum-seeking population, this study provides a richer understanding of the social identity change processes that affect their transition.
