Echoes of the Past, Lived in the Present: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Inquiry into the Impact of Forced Migration on Second-Generation Children of Refugees

This dissertation study utilized a hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative research design within Bronfenbrenner’s Person, Process, Context, Time (PPCT) bioecological theoretical framework to explore how second-generation emerging adult children of refugees make meaning of their parents' forced migration and its impacts on their early development. Eight eligible participants engaged in semi-structured individual phenomenological interviews lasting 60 to 90 minutes. The analysis revealed five major themes: 1) loss of home and fragmented narratives, 2) racialized experiences in changing contexts, 3) family structure and dynamics, 4) passing on that which is traumatically overwhelming, and 5) contextualized understanding of the family story and the journey to self. Each theme included subthemes that further illuminated the phenomenon of interest within the study’s sample, discussed in relation to existing literature. Furthermore, the implications for counseling research, practice, advocacy, and counselor education and supervision are provided. The study's limitations and recommendations for future research initiatives are also addressed.

Author

• Kaur, Paramjit

Language

• English

Keyword

• Refugees
• Emerging Adult
• Qualitative methodology
• Children of Refugees
• Phenomenology
• Psychosocial adjustment

Date created

• 2025

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Counseling

Degree

• Ph.D.

Advisor

• Das, Bagmi

Committee Member(s)

• Attia, Mina
• Peters, Harvey

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/b8515p422