Aftercare experiences of unaccompanied migrants in Finland
Akosah, Maxwell (2021)
Akosah, Maxwell
2021
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202104255738
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202104255738
Tiivistelmä
A considerable number of unaccompanied migrants in Finland leave family group homes every year to begin their lives alone. After spending a significant period of their lives in home care facilities, they are excited to experience real lives in aftercare. However, they hardly anticipate what transpires living in aftercare. Experts have expressed concerns about the challenges confronting these young migrants and their ability to cope whiles living independently. This study explores the experiences of unaccompanied migrants in aftercare to ascertain the coping measures to overcome their adversaries.
A qualitative study was carried out on four unaccompanied migrants in aftercare in Finland. All participants were over the age of eighteen and living alone. Semi-structured interviews, based on the research questions were conducted to collect the research data. The interviews ensued remotely via social media platforms and were recorded for eventual data transcription. The data were coded into themes and analysed using thematic analysis.
The study's findings revealed that unaccompanied migrants in aftercare face challenges such as loneliness, social relationships, and psychological issues. These challenges result from their past traumas before arriving in Finland and living in the family group homes. According to the study's results, self-reliance and social needs were also uncovered to be protective factors in the participants' ability to deal with aftercare challenges. Though the participants exhibited their self-determination to cope despite their difficulties, they also admitted seeking other supports from family members, peer groups, and professional workers to facilitate their coping.
This research urges further follow-up studies to support unaccompanied migrants to cope with challenges in aftercare. The experiences of the young migrants are not enough; the study recommends that professionals' views must be sought to determine the best outcomes. Furthermore, producing standardised and best practices will facilitate a smooth transition of aftercare unaccompanied migrants in Finland.
A qualitative study was carried out on four unaccompanied migrants in aftercare in Finland. All participants were over the age of eighteen and living alone. Semi-structured interviews, based on the research questions were conducted to collect the research data. The interviews ensued remotely via social media platforms and were recorded for eventual data transcription. The data were coded into themes and analysed using thematic analysis.
The study's findings revealed that unaccompanied migrants in aftercare face challenges such as loneliness, social relationships, and psychological issues. These challenges result from their past traumas before arriving in Finland and living in the family group homes. According to the study's results, self-reliance and social needs were also uncovered to be protective factors in the participants' ability to deal with aftercare challenges. Though the participants exhibited their self-determination to cope despite their difficulties, they also admitted seeking other supports from family members, peer groups, and professional workers to facilitate their coping.
This research urges further follow-up studies to support unaccompanied migrants to cope with challenges in aftercare. The experiences of the young migrants are not enough; the study recommends that professionals' views must be sought to determine the best outcomes. Furthermore, producing standardised and best practices will facilitate a smooth transition of aftercare unaccompanied migrants in Finland.