Muslim Youth in the Face of Islamophobia: Risk and Resilience

Abstract

American Muslim adolescents experience the process of coming of age in a divisive sociopolitical atmosphere characterized by bullying in various contexts (school, neighborhoods, social settings) and from both peers and adults. Although the pervasiveness of bullying places them at risk for poor outcomes, there are many protective and health-promoting factors that may buffer them from the impact of bullying-and more importantly, enable them to thrive in society. The experience of bullying for Muslim adolescents is multifaceted, comprising direct and indirect forms of aggression, occurring across many contexts and from many different perpetrators. Though research findings highlighted in this chapter provide insight into the impact of bullying and discrimination on Muslim adolescents, much more research is needed. Clinicians working with Muslim adolescents can play a unique and crucial role in fostering the well-being of Muslim adolescents and helping these youth manage the negative effects of anti-Muslim discrimination. Any individual who works with American Muslim youth should strive to adopt therapeutic and preventive strategies targeted toward various areas of their lives to promote resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)