Creating a Social Network: A study of unaccompanied youth in Sweden

Abstract: Previous research shows that unaccompanied minors and youth often face a gamut of challenges, among others, adjusting to a new environment and forming new social networks. Several studies have frequently highlighted the transactional relation between children's and youth's social network and their holistic development. Correspondingly, studies have also reflected that this group's situation of being uprooted from their families and previously existing social networks could be causing an aggravating effect on their well-being. However, studies focusing on the social networks of this group is limited. Similarly, the number of studies reflecting the group's own voices and perspectives is also comparatively low. In this aspect, the study seeks to foreground the voices and experiences of the studied population in relation to network building. This study aims to understand how a group of unaccompanied youth build social network, factors responsible for building and impeding social ties and the role of these networks in their daily lives. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with nine unaccompanied youth who had entered Sweden as minors and have obtained permanent residency. A thematic analysis was used to analyze the data and theoretical concepts such as social capital, social support, transnationalism and diaspora were used to analyze the generated themes. The findings of the study suggests that the respondents often build social networks with other unaccompanied minors and youth originating from their own countries. Trust and common grounds of sharing same language, similar experience and culture were pointed out as being vital for building relations. These networks were described as playing different roles such as providing assistance in expanding social ties, relocating family back home, practicing various forms of ethnic identity, influencing value changes and facilitating different avenues of integration. Respondents who perceived themselves as being a part of a supportive social network described themselves as being able to attach meaning in a new environment. However, respondents who perceived the lack of supportive ties described facing diverse challenges. The findings also includes the difficulties faced by some of the respondents in forming new social ties with other Swedish youth, foster parents and care workers due to reasons of cultural misunderstandings, lack of trusting relationships and professional boundaries.