Afghan Refugees in Greece: Overcoming Traumatic Events and Post-Traumatic Growth

Author First name, Last name, Institution

Melissa Kerr Chiovenda, Zayed University

Document Type

Book Chapter

Source of Publication

Cross-Cultural Advancements in Positive Psychology

Publication Date

7-16-2021

Abstract

Refugees in Athens, Greece struggle with negative reactions from local populations, harassment from far-right movements and institutions such as the police, and an asylum system that provides very few positive outcomes for applicants. Refugees find themselves in a position of heightened vulnerability, and those from historically oppressed groups, such as Shi’a Hazaras from Afghanistan, may experience additional challenges through the various stages of migration. Based on ethnographic research conducted in Greece and Afghanistan, this chapter considers the ways in which Afghan Hazara asylum seekers in Athens counter negative views about their character and intentions. Adrift in new surroundings waiting for extended time periods with no clear decision about their asylum status, some asylum seekers remake themselves, finding meaning and purpose through social relationships and prosocial activities intended to better the situation of the vulnerable groups to which they belong.

Publisher

Springer Nature

Volume

15

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

no

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