Migration, mental health and social identity in Toni Morrison's trilogy
This interdisciplinary study attempts to bridge the gap between Migration literature and Trauma literature, by synthesizing a theoretical framework constructed from migration theories, mental health and social identity. For this purpose, it systematically addresses typology of migration and re...
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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2016
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67508/1/FBMK%202016%2067%20IR.pdf http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/67508/ |
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| Summary: | This interdisciplinary study attempts to bridge the gap between Migration literature and
Trauma literature, by synthesizing a theoretical framework constructed from migration
theories, mental health and social identity. For this purpose, it systematically addresses
typology of migration and related theories as well as mental health issues, such as trauma,
stress and coping strategies. Migration, which is linked to a number of social problems
and health issues, is a major global concern recognized by the United Nations (UN), the
Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the World Health Organization
(WHO), and the World Mental Health (WMH). In line with the global concern, this
interdisciplinary thesis seeks to analyse Toni Morrison's trilogy, Beloved (1987), Jazz
(1993) and Paradise (1997), generally regarded as migration literature.
The WHO defines mental health as a state of well-being whereby individuals can cope
with the normal stresses of life and productively contribute to their community. WHO
notes the significant rise in mental health problems and predicts that this will be the
second greatest cause of death and disability, by the year 2020. According to Dinesh
Bhugra, the migration process comprising pre-migration, migration and post-migration
is potentially stressful and a leading cause of mental health problems. As such, the
application of both adaptive (problem-focused strategy) and maladaptive (avoidance and
emotion-focused strategies) coping mechanisms become critical to the maintenance of
mental health. The push factor of migration theory is mainly associated with heightened
trauma, as manifested in Toni Morrison's novels through the forced migratory journeys
undertaken by the lead female characters. Since post-migration stresses, such as
resettlement, unemployment and social identity can exceed people’s coping resources. A
systematic textual analysis of Toni Morrison's migration literature reveals that mental
health problems in migrant women are partly due to gender-specific stresses, premigration
traumas, post-migration stress factors and post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD). More importantly, maladaptive coping strategies and lack of social support can
undermine mental health. Consequently, the critical psychological states of migrant
women in Toni Morrison's trilogy, result from a combination of migration stresses,
traumatic events, maladaptive coping strategies and lack of social support. |
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