Friends don’t come easy- but most find a way: A qualitative study of refugee adolescents’ relationships with their peers

Abstract: A significant proportion of Sweden’s population consists of immigrants and refugees, many of whom are adolescents. Resettlement in a new host culture could be extra challenging during adolescence due to the additional burden that developmental tasks bring to the refugee adolescents’ daily life. One of the most important developmental tasks during adolescence is the development of functional relationships with peers. Previous research on refugee adolescents and peer relationships has often been quantitative and much focus has lied on the pathological outcomes and adversities that this population faces. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how refugee adolescents experienced peer relationships from their point of view, taking in the full spectrum of experiences. Furthermore, this study aimed to highlight the strengths and resilience this population posits. Specifically, the study used qualitative methodology to examine how newly arrived refugee adolescents experienced interpersonal relationships with peers and how they dealt with challenges faced. The sample of the study were 33 newly arrived refugee adolescents (Mage = 14.9, SD = .91; 55% females). Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through inductive thematic analysis. Themes of language, quality of relationships, and integration appeared central for refugee adolescents’ experience of peer relationships. Despite the difficulties that this population faced, they showed great capacity in overcoming challenges. The findings indicate that peer relationships are a central part of refugee adolescents' adjustment and well-being, and that there is a strong motivation and capacity to overcome difficulties and create functional relationships among newly arrived refugee adolescents.