Learning to live with the unresolved grief of migration: The ambiguity of leaving behind after the earthquake and adaptation

Aim: This research examines the ambiguity of the migration process experienced by earthquake victims who had to migrate following the Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquake disaster in 2023 and their adaptation to their new lives. Background: The post-earthquake migration process can leave people with uncertainty and the problems that come with it. The uncertainty experienced by these individuals has not been addressed in the literature, and these experiences are important. Methods: In this study, which was conducted using the phenomenological research design, the snowball sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used. The data was collected face-to-face with 19 earthquake victims through 30 to 40-min in-depth interviews. Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method was used to analyze the data obtained. Results: According to the analysis results, there are three main categories (From the Earthquake Shock to a New Life: The Journey of Migration and Adaptation, Identity Transformation Caused by Migration: The Adventure of Adapting to a New Life, Dreams and Goals for the Future: A New Beginning in the Pursuit of Hope) and five themes (Getting Lost in the Dark Labyrinths of Migration, The Difficult Journey of Adaptation After Migration, Loss of Identity and Cultural Storms, Broken Ropes and Longing Times, Future Plans and Optimism) that have emerged. Discussion: The research shows that migrating earthquake victims are in an environment of uncertainty where they do not know what to do, experience identity crises and cultural conflict after migration, long for the past, and have difficulty adapting. It is also noteworthy that immigrants remain generally optimistic and maintain their hopes for their future despite their problems. Practitioners serving immigrant populations are recommended to integrate grief and loss support into the spiritual care process through psychoeducation, assessments, and therapy.