Journal of International Migration and Integration
Volume 17, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 1195-1209

Hope as a Crucial Factor in Integration Among Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth in the USA: A Pilot Project (Article)

Jani J.* , Underwood D. , Ranweiler J.
  • a Social Work Department, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Sherman Hall-B-362, Baltimore, MD 21250, United States
  • b Children’s Services, Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, United States
  • c Children’s Services, Lutheran Immigrant and Refugee Service, 700 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, United States

Abstract

In 2014, 53,518 unaccompanied immigrant youth, predominantly from Central America, arrived in the USA. By mid-2015, over 12,000 had already arrived (Office of Refugee Resettlement 2015). Despite experiencing a myriad of risk factors and challenges, these children display remarkable resiliency. An important component of this resiliency which, in turn, enhances the well-being of these populations, is the maintenance of hope. This paper reports on a study conducted in spring 2013 on the presence of hope among 138 unaccompanied immigrant children, ages 9–18, receiving services from 20 affiliates of a family reunification program in 12 states in the USA. The study found that children reported a high level of hope on the Children’s Hope Scale (Snyder et al., New York Free Press 1994; Psychological Inquiry 13(4):249, 2002). This article reports on these findings and discusses their implications for policy, practice, and research. © 2015, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

Author Keywords

youth Resilience Immigrant Central America Migrant Children Refugee Hope

Index Keywords

immigrant young population refugee Central America social inclusion United States Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84941350098&doi=10.1007%2fs12134-015-0457-6&partnerID=40&md5=1af449521e682b14428cbc04531bfa4b
DOI: 10.1007/s12134-015-0457-6
ISSN: 14883473
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English