Social support in unaccompanied asylum-seeking boys: a case study.
BACKGROUND
The situation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is characterized by a substantial disruption of the social network and loss of parental support, seriously jeopardizing their psychological well-being. However, little is known about the role of social support in the lives of UASC.


METHODS
Twelve UASC completed a social support instrument and interview exploring perceived social support and what this implies for both buffering and main effects of social support.


RESULTS
Asylum centre staff and the ethnic community were the most important resources of support. High importance was ascribed to social companionship as a way of coping. Despite pro-social efforts towards Belgian peers, this group provided hardly any social support.


CONCLUSIONS
The provision of social support could enhance UASC's well-being through buffering effects (e.g. social companionship as avoidant/distractive coping) and main effects (acceptance by Belgian peers enhancing self-esteem). The asylum centre shows a great potential to stimulate UASC's psychological well-being by expanding the psychosocial function of staff members and community treatment.
Mels
C
C
Department of Orthopedagogics, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium. cindy.mels@ugent.be
Derluyn
I
I
Broekaert
E
E
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001530:Belgium; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012931:Social Environment; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support