Background: The situation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) is characterized by a substantial disruption of the social network and loss of parental support, seriously jeopardizing their psychological well-being. However, little is known about the role of social support in the lives of UASC. Methods: Twelve UASC completed a social support instrument and interview exploring perceived social support and what this implies for both buffering and main effects of social support. Results: Asylum centre staff and the ethnic community were the most important resources of support. High importance was ascribed to social companionship as a way of coping. Despite pro-social efforts towards Belgian peers, this group provided hardly any social support. Conclusions: The provision of social support could enhance UASC's well-being through buffering effects (e.g. social companionship as avoidant/distractive coping) and main effects (acceptance by Belgian peers enhancing self-esteem). The asylum centre shows a great potential to stimulate UASC's psychological well-being by expanding the psychosocial function of staff members and community treatment. © 2008 The Authors Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Psychological well-being Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children Social support

Interpersonal Relations community care human social isolation Refugees coping behavior priority journal Adaptation, Psychological social support self esteem social worker interview psychological well being Humans Adolescent male self concept Belgium peer group Article help seeking behavior adult Social Environment ethnicity child care social behavior