Finding agency in limbo: A qualitative investigation into the impact of occupational engagement on the mental health and wellbeing of asylum seekers in the UK

Abstract

The process of seeking asylum is complex and often leads to extended periods of uncertainty and liminality for people awaiting decisions on their status. Occupational engagement—defined as meaningful activities and roles that bring purpose and agency to one's life—may be a key driver for mental health recovery for marginalized populations, including asylum seekers with traumatic experiences pre- and post-migration. This study aimed to clarify how occupational engagement impacts on mental health and wellbeing and how asylum seekers maintain engagement in occupation in the context of socio-political constraints of the asylum process. We explored the occupational experiences of 12 clients of one human-rights charity, utilizing community-based participatory research methods. Participants completed group mapping sessions where they depicted routine journeys taken to perform occupations in London, which included discussion around the significance of their journeys. Four participants also completed additional “walking maps”—semi-structured interviews which occurred along a selected “occupational journey” they identified as meaningful to their wellbeing. All data were analyzed using thematic network analysis. Findings revealed that engagement in routine occupations within safe, social spaces positively affects the mental wellbeing of asylum seekers by promoting competence, agency, and feelings of belonging. The liminal space of the asylum process meant that participants’ occupational engagement was limited to ‘leisure’ activities but was still critical to establishing forms of agency associated with their wellbeing. Implications for programs and interventions responding to the needs of asylum seekers are discussed.