An Ecological Approach to Refugee Youth Identity Development in Small-Sized Cities

Refugee youth experience resettlement during a critical developmental period. Identity development is a key task of adolescence that is impacted by interactions held in certain places. Currently there is a gap in the literature exploring refugee youth identity development, particularly within the context of small-sized cities. The aim of the current exploratory qualitative research study was to develop a better understanding of how interactions within different systems influence refugee youth perceptions of their identity in the context of a small- sized Canadian city. Two refugee youth from two small-sized cities were asked to engage in an online interview to discuss how interactions with family, friends, school, social media, and community and religious organizations may influence their identities. The results from the thematic analysis indicated that resettlement challenges, changing roles and responsibilities, supportive interactions, negative interactions, communication and social connections, and age at the time of resettlement influenced refugee youth differentially.