Islamophobia : psychological correlates and impact on young Muslim identity development

This thesis explores the experiences of Muslim people living in the Western world. Part 1 is a systematic review of the literature examining the impact of Islamophobia on Muslim people in Western countries. Findings suggest high rates of Islamophobia, often operationalised as ‘religious discrimination’. Islamophobia was found to operate at multiple levels including work place discrimination, profiling at airports, feeling part of a ‘suspect community’, negative media stereotyping and street level harassment. Several effects such as an increase in symptoms of depression or anxiety were reported, as were feelings of unsafety. Some positive coping responses such as reaching out to others were also noted. Part 2 is an empirical study exploring identity development in young Muslims in Britain. Qualitative interviews were used to find out how participants construct their identity and define themselves. Both the benefits and challenges of identifying as a Muslim were explored. Participants were asked about experiences of Islamophobia and how they cope with or resist these adverse experiences. Participants expressed a strong and integral identity as Muslims unrelated to religious practice. Consistent with the literature review, Islamophobia was reported to operate in multiple contexts and had profound influences on the participants sense of self. A need for community, belonging and finding tactical ways to respond to Islamophobia were also identified. Part 3 is a critical appraisal reflecting on the experience of conducting the empirical paper and ethical challenges that arose. It focuses primarily on the challenges experienced being a Muslim researcher examining Islamophobia.