Conceptualization of hope among adolescents and youth from refugee backgrounds in a transit context

Abstract

There is a growing need to understand the protective factors that promote positive psychological functioning in adolescents and youth from refugee backgrounds (AYRB). Even though hope is a valuable resource in coping with adversity, no study has examined hope in AYRB in a transiting country. These individuals face additional challenges, such as exposure to threats to their physical and psychological safety, risks from human traffickers, limited access to medical and social support, and inadequate integration procedures. Thus, this study aims to explore the conceptualization of hope among AYRBs in transit, its function, and sources of hope throughout their transiting journey. A total of 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with AYRB currently residing in Serbia, a transiting country (M age = 19.18, SD age = 2.82, 3 females). Relying on a coding reliability approach to thematic analysis, four main themes were extracted: Nature of Hope; The Interplay of Hope and Goals; Function of Hope; and Maintaining Hope. This study provides in-depth insights into conceptualization, perceived functions, and sources of hope among AYRB, contributing to promoting their strengths and destigmatizing narratives. Furthermore, it contributed to hope theory by revealing additional functions of hope in vulnerable populations with refugee backgrounds. The study provides guidance for professionals working with AYRB in transit, emphasizing a hope-based approach, including techniques such as adjusting communication, preventing false hope, diversifying hope sources, and enhancing hope’s consolatory and motivational functions. The findings highlight the need for a comprehensive support model in transit countries’ practices and policies to provide essential care globally.