Sweden is a country that historically speaking has had generous migration policies, however the migration crisis occurring in 2015 resulted in many challenges for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. This study highlights signs indicating that the adjustment period is not only crucial to their integration long-term but also sheds light on the vulnerability of unaccompanied children seeking asylum with a special emphasis being that they appear more vulnerable during the period when they first arrive in Sweden. We also examine how their experience of the asylum process potentially influences their social, physical, and psychological health. Furthermore, this is done by identifying which factors they themselves feel are of most importance as it pertains to their experiences of the asylum process, as well as what those experiences mean for their integration regarding their new lives in Sweden. The method used in this qualitative study has been conducting qualitative interviews with five male participants ranging from ages 20 to 25 years old. All participants share the experience of arriving in Sweden as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. The results presented in the study were analyzed by applying two main theoretical perspectives and one complimentary theory one; Bronfenbrenner ecological system theory, Diaz integration theory, and empowerment. Additionally, previous research made within the area of the study was also examined. Results found that participants regard education, skillset in language, health, family, and meaningful people as crucial aspects that have had significant meaning in their experiences of going through the asylum process as well as for their integration. The conclusions drawn within the qualitative study is the understanding that language holds a key role in integrating, both effectively and long-term as it is believed to make way for self-sufficiency and building relationships with other members of society. Health was another key factor, specifically mental health which is an important aspect because it explores feelings of the unknown and fear that unaccompanied refugee children carry due to their experiences. Which in turn plays a role in their health while in the country and going through the process of for instance not knowing if they are allowed to stay in Sweden or not. Another conclusion was, understanding the importance of the personnel in homes for unaccompanied refugee children. Since many are forced to leave their family members behind this leads to them missing that family structure, an important component of developing children’s identity.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hj-57292 |
| Date | January 2022 |
| Creators | Rajha, Sania Alissar, Kelati, Lona |
| Publisher | Jönköping University, Högskolan för lärande och kommunikation |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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