International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Migrants’ Lived Experiences and Post-Traumatic Growth Among Urban Refugees in Nairobi County, Kenya

Human migration, especially forced displacement, is an increasingly prominent global phenomenon. Amidst the turmoil of war, persecution, and socio-economic upheaval, urban refugees face unique challenges and opportunities for recovery. This study investigates the lived experiences and post-traumatic growth (PTG) of urban refugees in Nairobi County, Kenya, employing a robust mixed method, an embedded research design. This article synthesizes theoretical perspectives, Reasoned Action Theory, Resilience Theory, and PTG Theory, with empirical evidence, offering a multidimensional approach to understanding refugee experiences in the global south. Drawing on a sample of 398 respondents from diverse nationalities, data analysis provided nuanced insights into the psychological, social, and spiritual trajectories that characterized adaptation and resilience within Nairobi’s cosmopolitan environment. Using quantitative instruments such as the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) and qualitative interview guide. The findings revealed significant facts regarding stigmatization, compassion, spiritual transformation, and the nuanced influence of variables such as gender and education. The results from post-traumatic growth inventory showed that respondents had higher levels of spiritual change (Mean =2.65), indicating a more profound transformation in their spiritual outlook post-crisis, exhibited greater personal strength (Mean=2.47), and an overall higher sense of posttraumatic growth (Mean=2.36), suggesting a stronger capacity to adapt and grow after the crisis. Results indicated a difference in post-traumatic growth between males and females (0.000). There is a need for the Government to consider matter related to the education of refugees, improving their integration in the community.