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Lives on hold: A qualitative study of young refugees' resilience strategies.

Sleijpen, M., Mooren, T., Kleber, R.J., Boeije, H.R. Lives on hold: A qualitative study of young refugees' resilience strategies. Childhood: 2017, 24(3), p. 348-365.
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Although the literature on positive adjustment following traumatic events is growing, only a few studies have examined this phenomenon in young refugees. Using the social-ecological framework.

Objective
The aim of this study was to identify factors and processes that according to young refugees promote their resilience.

Method
A total of 16 treatment-seeking refugees aged 13-21 years, living in the Netherlands, were interviewed.

Results
Data analysis revealed four resilience strategies:
(1) acting autonomously;
(2) performing at school;
(3) perceiving support from peers and parents;
(4) participating in the new society.
These strategies interacted with one another and demonstrated the interrelatedness between individuals and their social context. Having to wait long for a residence permit and being older appeared to negatively influence participants' resilience strategies. These findings suggest that resilience refers to a dynamic process that is context and time specific. (aut. ref.)