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Crossing Countries and Crossing Ages: The Difficult Transition to Adulthood of Unaccompanied Migrant Care Leavers

Author

Listed:
  • Federica Gullo

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Laura García-Alba

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Amaia Bravo

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Jorge F. del Valle

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

Abstract

The social changes experienced in many countries have prolonged the transition to adult life for young people. That being said, those who leave child care cannot afford this privilege, in that they do not benefit from the same support and resources, having to confront an accelerated transition which exposes them to increased risk of negative outcomes and social exclusion. Moreover, this transition might be even riskier for unaccompanied migrant care leavers, who are four times as vulnerable, given their status as young people in care, as adolescents, as migrants and being unaccompanied. This paper seeks to explore the profiles, needs, and experiences of unaccompanied young migrants in comparison with other care leavers. Data were collected by means of a semi-structured interview to explore their pre-care, in-care, and aftercare experiences. A highly specific profile of unaccompanied young migrants has been revealed that differs from the other care leavers in terms of worse educational, occupational, and economic outcomes, limited support networks, and more obstacles to accessing aftercare supports. Conversely, they also exhibited some strengths, such as having less pre-care, in care, and aftercare traumatic experiences, less psychological distress and fewer risky behaviors compared with other care leavers.

Suggested Citation

  • Federica Gullo & Laura García-Alba & Amaia Bravo & Jorge F. del Valle, 2021. "Crossing Countries and Crossing Ages: The Difficult Transition to Adulthood of Unaccompanied Migrant Care Leavers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6935-:d:584139
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harder, Annemiek T. & Mann-Feder, Varda & Oterholm, Inger & Refaeli, Tehila, 2020. "Supporting transitions to adulthood for youth leaving care: Consensus based principles," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).
    2. Stewart, C. Joy & Kum, Hye-Chung & Barth, Richard P. & Duncan, Dean F., 2014. "Former foster youth: Employment outcomes up to age 30," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 220-229.
    3. Hiles, Dominic & Moss, Duncan & Wright, John & Dallos, Rudi, 2013. "Young people's experience of social support during the process of leaving care: A review of the literature," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2059-2071.
    4. Gypen, Laura & Vanderfaeillie, Johan & De Maeyer, Skrallan & Belenger, Laurence & Van Holen, Frank, 2017. "Outcomes of children who grew up in foster care: Systematic-review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 74-83.
    5. Gimeno-Monterde, Chabier & Gutiérrez-Sánchez, José David, 2019. "Fostering unaccompanied migrating minors. A cross-border comparison," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 36-42.
    6. Wade, Jim, 2011. "Preparation and transition planning for unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee young people: A review of evidence in England," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(12), pages 2424-2430.
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    Cited by:

    1. Edgar Iglesias & Carme Montserrat & Judit Gallart & Cayetano Gomez, 2023. "Participation, Leisure and Social Networks as Key Factors in the Inclusion of Young Unaccompanied Migrants," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(3), pages 897-915, June.
    2. Noelia Parejo-Jiménez & Jorge Expósito-López & Ramón Chacón-Cuberos & Eva María Olmedo-Moreno, 2022. "Critical Thinking and Motivation in Vocational Training and Baccalaureate: A Comparison Study of Students of Spanish Nationality, Unaccompanied Foreign Minors and Young Care Leavers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, April.

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