A phenomenological exploration of stress within the Irish Traveller ethnic minority group

Abstract

Research has revealed that minority groups face above average levels of stress compared to the wider society. Meyer (1995) proposed a comprehensive model of the different aspects of minority stress. The model is most often applied to sexual minorities. This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine stress within the Irish Traveller ethnic minority group with an aim of examining how their stress fits Meyer’s model of minority stress. Four participants were involved. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. It was found that Irish Travellers are a distinct group who endure specific stress that is extraneous to the stress faced by the general population of Ireland. The findings propose that Irish Traveller minority stress fits Meyer’s model in unique ways - particularly in relation to issues around identity concealment and loss.