Turkish Cypriot Women’s Migration Experiences and Psychological Resilience: Case Narratives from North Cyprus

This exploratory qualitative case study investigates the resilience-building strategies of Turkish Cypriot women who survived the Cyprus conflict from 1960 to 1974. Amid forced displacement and socio-political upheaval, the study examines the women's experiences through semi-structured interviews with five participants aged 75 to 90. These narratives provide crucial insights into how women navigated the challenges posed by the conflict and their strategies for coping with trauma. The findings reveal five key themes: psychological resilience, adaptation strategies, transformation of gender roles, intergenerational perceptions, and recommendations for younger generations. Participants highlighted the importance of maintaining hope and collective support in fostering resilience in the face of adversity, emphasizing that community bonds were critical to their survival. They identified social capital and economic participation as essential factors in adaptation, illustrating how traditional gender roles shifted as women took on new responsibilities. Furthermore, participants expressed concerns about the perceived deficiencies in resilience and self-reliance among younger generations, attributing these issues to overprotective parenting practices. Recommendations emphasized the need for self-reliance, responsibility, and strong family values as foundational elements for resilience in contemporary contexts. This study underscores the significance of preserving generational trauma narratives as vital resources for contemporary resilience-building, providing insights into the complex interplay between historical trauma and present-day coping strategies. Future research should explore intergenerational transmission mechanisms and cultural practices that influence resilience, further enriching our understanding of adaptive responses to adversity across different contexts and generations.