ERIC Number: EJ1332998
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 32
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1082-4669
EISSN: N/A
Understanding Unaccompanied Immigrant Youths' Experiences in US Schools: An Interdisciplinary Perspective
Frankel, Katherine K.; Brabeck, Kalina M.; Rendón García, Sarah A.
Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk, v27 n1 p27-58 2022
While educators may be well positioned to support unaccompanied immigrant youth, there is limited interdisciplinary research focused on understanding the complexity of youth's experiences in US schools. The purpose of this qualitative, interview-based study was to better understand how youth's transnational experiences pre-, during, and post-migration affected their school-based experiences, and to explore how schools supported them. Participants included ten unaccompanied immigrant youths from Central America and six key informants who worked with youth in a professional capacity. Findings indicate that youth experienced multiple challenges including stressful and traumatic events, barriers to mental health and legal services, and unfamiliar cultural and linguistic norms that sometimes were not recognized or understood by their teachers and schools. The youth also brought important resources, such as high expectations and aspirations and strong connections to family and community. School-based experiences that built from youth's resources and motivations (e.g., through school-community partnerships and responsive classroom practices) had the potential to enhance belonging, community connections, and wellness. More interdisciplinary research is needed to develop and support school-based practices and partnerships in consultation with youth that build from knowledge of their particular resources and challenges.
Descriptors: Immigrants, Youth, Experience, Stress Variables, Trauma, Barriers, Mental Health, Access to Health Care, Legal Aid, Cultural Differences, Language Usage, Hispanic American Students, Expectation, Aspiration, Family Relationship, Racial Bias, Ethnicity, Social Bias, Coping, At Risk Students, Acculturation, Well Being, Resources, Teacher Role, Student Needs, School Role
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A