In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria
The emphasis on migration for development obscures its diverse challenges. The migration development nexus is paradoxical, problematic, and controversial. Remittances have long gained wide interest. Migrants’ subjective experiences are important in understanding overall migration outcomes. Internati...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/1/1 |
| _version_ | 1798000654761852928 |
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| author | Eunice Wangui Stuhlhofer |
| author_facet | Eunice Wangui Stuhlhofer |
| author_sort | Eunice Wangui Stuhlhofer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The emphasis on migration for development obscures its diverse challenges. The migration development nexus is paradoxical, problematic, and controversial. Remittances have long gained wide interest. Migrants’ subjective experiences are important in understanding overall migration outcomes. International African female migration has increased and it is underexplored. This paper investigates the psychosocial stressors of migration based on the lived experiences of Kenyan female migrants in Austria. A sample of 6 female migrants was selected. Narrative data were recorded and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings showed that migration resulted in troubled relationships within the core and extended families. The economic dependency of family members in Kenya caused conflicts in interracial marriages. Acculturation led to alienation, family separation and isolation. Achieving economic goals proved challenging due to unpredictable effects in Austria. Failed expectations driven by stereotypes about Europe resulted in disillusionment and high expenses. Routine racism and Black female body objectification affected the mental health of the participants. This article contributes to knowledge on international African migration and gender-specific issues concerning African female migrants. The results will inform policymakers, academia, future migrants and mental health providers. Further research on the effects of migration on African migrants is recommended. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:23:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-73aa8239ab0d405fa1b63370bf9a405e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-0760 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T11:23:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-73aa8239ab0d405fa1b63370bf9a405e2022-12-22T04:26:30ZengMDPI AGSocial Sciences2076-07602021-12-01111110.3390/socsci11010001In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in AustriaEunice Wangui Stuhlhofer0Institute of African Studies, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, AustriaThe emphasis on migration for development obscures its diverse challenges. The migration development nexus is paradoxical, problematic, and controversial. Remittances have long gained wide interest. Migrants’ subjective experiences are important in understanding overall migration outcomes. International African female migration has increased and it is underexplored. This paper investigates the psychosocial stressors of migration based on the lived experiences of Kenyan female migrants in Austria. A sample of 6 female migrants was selected. Narrative data were recorded and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings showed that migration resulted in troubled relationships within the core and extended families. The economic dependency of family members in Kenya caused conflicts in interracial marriages. Acculturation led to alienation, family separation and isolation. Achieving economic goals proved challenging due to unpredictable effects in Austria. Failed expectations driven by stereotypes about Europe resulted in disillusionment and high expenses. Routine racism and Black female body objectification affected the mental health of the participants. This article contributes to knowledge on international African migration and gender-specific issues concerning African female migrants. The results will inform policymakers, academia, future migrants and mental health providers. Further research on the effects of migration on African migrants is recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/1/1migrationstressorsdevelopmentAustriafemaleKenya |
| spellingShingle | Eunice Wangui Stuhlhofer In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria Social Sciences migration stressors development Austria female Kenya |
| title | In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria |
| title_full | In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria |
| title_fullStr | In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria |
| title_full_unstemmed | In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria |
| title_short | In Pursuit of Development: Post-Migration Stressors among Kenyan Female Migrants in Austria |
| title_sort | in pursuit of development post migration stressors among kenyan female migrants in austria |
| topic | migration stressors development Austria female Kenya |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/11/1/1 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT eunicewanguistuhlhofer inpursuitofdevelopmentpostmigrationstressorsamongkenyanfemalemigrantsinaustria |