Exploring the Lived Experiences of Stateless Persons and Legal Identity Denial
Keywords:
Statelessness, Legal Identity Denial, Psychological Distress, Social Exclusion, Coping Mechanisms, Resilience, TehranAbstract
This study aims to explore the lived experiences of stateless individuals in Tehran, focusing on how legal identity denial impacts their psychological, social, and economic well-being, as well as the coping mechanisms they employ. This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to understand the personal experiences of stateless persons. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 20 stateless individuals residing in Tehran. The participants were selected through purposive sampling, ensuring a diversity of age, gender, and ethnicity. The interviews, conducted in Persian, were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed using NVivo software, employing thematic analysis to identify key themes and subthemes related to the experiences of stateless individuals. Theoretical saturation was reached by the end of the data collection process. The findings reveal that statelessness leads to significant psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and social isolation, as participants often felt powerless and excluded from society. Legal identity denial severely restricted access to basic rights such as healthcare, education, and employment, leading to social exclusion and economic instability. However, participants demonstrated resilience, often relying on family support and informal networks to cope with their situation. Despite these coping mechanisms, the lack of formal recognition and legal status limited their ability to plan for the future and achieve social integration. The study highlights the profound emotional, social, and economic impacts of statelessness and the denial of legal identity. It underscores the need for legal reforms to address statelessness and provide stateless individuals with a pathway to citizenship or legal recognition. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of social inclusion and support systems to mitigate the negative effects of legal identity denial.
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