Migration and threat to identity

This paper concerns threats to identity experienced by migrants who have en countered radical socio-political upheaval. We argue that migration, follow ing massive societal change, is associated with disruption that is likely t o be undesired and, even when it is desired, because it is substantial, thr eatens identity definition and evaluation. There is relatively little empir ical social psychological research on migrants' perceptions of the threats associated with migration and their impact upon identity. In this study, we investigate the emotional and cognitive experience of threat to identity d escribed by immigrants to Britain (N = 24) from the former Yugoslavia, foll owing the outbreak there of civil war. We examine how these interviewees en gage in a meaning-making process, negotiating their position amid a complex system of group categorisations and cultural values in order to retain the ir sense of self-efficacy, continuity, distinctiveness and self-esteem. Ide ntity Process Theory (Breakwell, 1986) is used to interpret the findings. W e also show how strong emotional reactions surround alterations in identity meanings following severe threats that are consequent upon major life chan ges. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.