A Phenomenological Study on the Difficulties in Forming Peer Relationships among Mid-Entry Adolescent Immigrants in South Korea

This study explores the difficulties that immigrant youth experience in forming peer relationships in Korea. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven youths and the data were analyzed using Giorgi’s phenomenological method. As a result of the analysis, 11 sub-themes and 4 main themes were derived. ‘difficulties in forming early peer relationships and changes in relationship perception through interaction’, ‘difficulties experienced in cultural differences and the process of recognition and acceptance’, ‘difficulties due to discrimination and differences in perception between peer groups and changes in relationship formation’, and ‘expanding the meaning of relationships even amid difficulties in peer groups’. These research results are presented as situational and general structural descriptions. This study provides basic data for understanding the unique relationship processes and internal experiences of immigrant youth, and is significant in providing practical support for cultural sensitivity and psychological stability in the counseling and intervention process.