Cultural tightrope walkers: a qualitative study of being a young refugee in quest for identity and belonging in Norway

• DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-02484-8
• Publication Date: 2025-02-18T02:42:02Z
• Authors: Per-Einar Binder; Hanna Heggen; Elisabeth Buer Vase; Gro Mjeldheim Sandal
• Keywords: Psychological research

Refugee experiences significantly challenge personal identity, especially for youth orienting themselves in new cultural contexts. The study explores the complex process of balancing expectations from two cultures: how do formative encounters Norway mold self-perception and sense belonging those who arrived as child adolescent refugees? A qualitative approach which life story interviews were conducted with eight young refugees between ages 8 17 years was used. Through thematic analysis grounded hermeneutical phenomenology, we analyzed their narratives to identify core perspectives. lasted 90-150 min, providing insights into identity development amid adaptation. recurring overarching theme is that participants grapple feelings "outsiderness" both Norwegian society within culture origin, creating a dual alienation. This experience painful, but they also perceive it has given them opportunity develop open-mindedness unique perspective on existence. Three subthemes identified describe various aspects these greater detail: (1) Experiences being stranger; (2) value conflicts, reconciliation possible; (3) perspective: navigating cultures. highlight negotiation maintaining heritage adapting norms. participants' narrative identities reveals ways coping transitions, revealing continuously reconstruct self-narratives adapt environment. findings suggest while acculturation challenging characterized by psychological tension existential vulnerability, can foster resilience opportunities meaning-making. research contributes understanding refugee Norway, emphasizing need social support systems acknowledge struggles potential growth inherent integration.