Voices from the Minority: Understanding the Accultura8ve Experiences of Muslim Communi8es.

Systemic Literature Review This meta-ethnography explored the acculturative experiences of South Asian (SA) Muslims. Acculturation involves changes following interac8on between ancestral and host cultures, often linked to psychological distress. The aim of this review was to learn more about SA acculturative experiences to enhance intercultural competency in mental health services. An interpre8vist approach guided this meta-synthesis, using a meta-ethnographic framework to identify overarching constructs across studies. Ten qualita8ve studies were included, with quality assessed using the Joanna Briggs Ins8tute checklist (Lockwood et al., 2015). Five overarching constructs were identified: isolation (within and outside cultural groups), iden8ty (including a loss of and dual iden8ty), belonging (tied to assimilation, exclusion, and cultural loss), religion (with increased freedom post-migration), and racism. These constructs highlighted emotional struggles such as confusion, sadness, and generational conflict. Findings revealed the complexity of acculturation in SA Muslims and emphasises the need for culturally responsive mental health services.Empirical Research Project This research explored the accultura8ve experiences of British Shia Muslims to support in understanding the need for culturally sensitive clinical practice. The study aimed to improve understanding acculturative experiences and therapeutic support for this community. Using a qualitative design, 15 semi-structured interviews were analysed through Braun and Clarke’s (2022) reflexive thematic analysis. Participants included were British Shia Muslims aged 18+, living in England for at least five years. Recruitment through mosques included first, second, and third-generation individuals, acknowledging acculturation beyond immigration (Van Der Zee & Van Oudenhoven, 2022). Five themes were identified under the overarching theme ‘the road to acculturative adjustment’: belonging, mental health, religiosity, discriminatory experiences, and protective factors. The overarching theme depicted acculturation as a fluid, complex journey, consistent with Schwartz et al.’s (2010) multidimensionality acculturation model. Findings highlight the need for culturally competent clinical approaches, using an intersectional lens, to beaer support British Shia Muslims.