Unaccompanied refugee minors are, like other youngsters, making their moves towards adulthood, but under most challenging conditions. Informed by a cultural psychological approach to development, we analysed interviews with 18 unaccompanied Afghan boys and their professional caregivers. ‘Establishing a liveable life in Norway’ and ‘helping the family in the country of origin’ were analysed as central developmental projects for the boys, the former actively supported by the caregivers, the latter typically not. Considering what each individual is trying to achieve and how their projects are received by significant others sheds light on the boys’ struggles, as well as their coping. © 2017, © The Author(s) 2017.

Cultural psychology Migration unaccompanied refugee minors Childhood everyday life developmental psychology developmental projects

male interpersonal communication adulthood refugee developmental psychology Norway Article cultural psychology interview childhood Afghan caregiver human adult Child