Experiences of Hijabi Women: Finding a Way Through the Looking Glass for Muslim Americans

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of Muslim women who wear the hijab, their perceptions of the how wearing the hijab impacted their relationships, identity formation and cultural adaptation in the American workplace. Through the analysis of qualitative data, this exploratory phenomenological study investigated the lived experiences of Muslim women to gain an understanding of how the wearing of the hijab impacted cross-cultural interactions, how they maintained their personal and social identities, coped with stress, and perceived discrimination and feelings of isolation. Qualitative interviews with seven participants were conducted in the U.S. and the results varied.