Abstract

Extending existing frameworks, this article examines continuities and disruptions in unaccompanied refugee minors’ social support networks, their mental health impact, and what these changes mean to the young people. Interviews with 35 URMs along their trajectories in Belgium and other European countries, at three measurement moments and over a period of two years, showed that family, peers and volunteers remained central sources of social support. Contributions of formal support depended on the URMs’ status. We discuss the dynamicity of social support networks with regard to URMs’ agency and acculturation, as well as implications for practice, policy and research.

摘要

本文扩展了现有框架，研究了无人陪伴的未成年难民社会支持网络的连续性和中断、他们对心理健康的影响，以及这些变化对年轻人意味着什么。在三个测量时刻和两年期间对比利时和其他欧洲国家的 35 个 URM 进行的采访表明，家庭、同伴和志愿者仍然是社会支持的主要来源。正式支持的贡献取决于 URM 的状态。我们讨论了社会支持网络在 URM 的代理和文化适应方面的动态性，以及对实践、政策和研究的影响。