Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)Vidal, Nicole L.Sagan, OliviaStrang, AlisonPalombo, Gianluca2023-08-142023-08-142023-08-11Vidal, N., Sagan, O., Strang, A. and Palombo, G. (2023) ‘Rupture and liminality: Experiences of Scotland’s refugee population during a time of COVID-19 lockdown’, SSM - Qualitative Research in Health, p. 100328. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100328.https://eresearch.qmu.ac.uk/handle/20.500.12289/13397https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2023.100328From Elsevier via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2023-08-10, issued 2023-08-11AM replaced with VoR 2023-08-22Funder: Chief Scientist Office; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000589; Grant(s): COV/QMU/20/02Funder: Scottish Funding Council; FundRef: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000360Nicole Vidal - ORCID: 0000-0001-6159-2757 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6159-2757Olivia Sagan - ORCID: 0000-0001-6128-8499 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6128-8499Alison Strang - ORCID: 0000-0003-3064-5283 https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3064-5283Gianluca Palombo - ORCID: 0009-0009-5812-937X https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5812-937XThe disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had profound effects on refugees. In migrating to seek safety, refugees demonstrate resilience, resourcefulness and the ability to adapt to stressful situations. However, social distancing and self-isolation measures greatly impacted these individuals as they stand to risk the most from interruptions to integration. In this paper, we examine the implications of increased loneliness and isolation for refugees’ experiences with integration. We argue, using original interview data, that the demands placed on some refugees through extremely harsh circumstances can leave many even more vulnerable, as was evident in extreme during the COVID-19 lockdowns. The findings of this study pertain to the refugee pandemic experience in relation to loneliness, hopelessness and, more so: agency, resilience and post-traumatic growth. In recognising that rupture and liminality are intrinsically linked to feelings of loneliness, mental wellbeing, or its erosion, the paper demonstrates the complexity of loneliness and its potential to cause long-term damage to mental and physical health. Our findings suggest the importance of an approach to integration that recognises the unique needs of refugees. Where emotionally supportive social networks are weak or absent, it must be a priority to enable meaningful connections with other trusted human beings.© 2023 The Authors.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/article2023-08-14