The Impact of Social Exclusion on Mental Health: A Phenomenological Study on the Sweeper Community

The sweeper community in Bangladesh faces systematic social exclusion within an entrenched caste-based hierarchy. This phenomenological study explores mental health consequences of social exclusion among 18 adult sweeper community members in Dhaka, analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Four themes emerged: internalized stigma and erosion of self-worth, chronic psychological distress, social isolation, and resilience amid exclusion. Participants drew on religious faith, community solidarity, and familial bonds as psychological buffers. The study underscores urgent need for culturally responsive mental health services and anti-discrimination policies in Bangladesh.