Psychological Impacts of Forced Migration in the Youth Community of West-Sahrawi Refugees

Abstract: The focus of this research is to examine the basic factors affecting the West Sahrawi young refugees’ lives and survival strategies in their situation of exile in the refugee camps of Tindouf, Algeria. The purpose is to answer the following questions: First, which are the main problems as perceived by the youth born in the refugee camps? Second, which are their coping strategies? And finally, which are the protective factors that help them to cope with their situation? The data has been collected through self reports and open interviews from 18 young Sahrawi refugees, age 12-30. The obtained texts have been analyzed with the help of the software MCA- Minerva, based on the phenomenological perspective of the Meaning Constitution Analysis. The results indicate that there is a strong perception among the Sahrawi youth community that they lack the power to influence their future, leading them to a hopeless situation that increases their external locus of control. These factors contribute to an increased level of anxiety and decreased motivation in facing their future. Yet their strong sense of collective Sahrawi identity helps them to deal with the strenuous conditions of life and works as a protective factor. Thus, it is necessary to consider these factors when planning development strategies in the refugee camps.