Unaccompanied Refugee Adolescents' Experiences With Professional Support During Their Transition to Adulthood

ABSTRACT The transition to adulthood is a complex period for unaccompanied refugee adolescents, who must navigate this phase without the physical presence of their parentals while adjusting to life in a new country. This longitudinal qualitative study explores how unaccompanied refugee adolescents in the Netherlands experience professional support during their transition to adulthood, and how these experiences develop over time. Thirty adolescents with a residence permit were interviewed at three time points—ages 17, 18 and 19—using semi‐structured interviews. A trajectory approach with time‐ordered matrices was used to analyse the data. The findings show that support shifted over time from structured and frequent assistance at age 17, to more flexible and individualized support at ages 18 and 19. While many adolescents valued the support they received—especially practical and emotional help from mentors—some felt unprepared for the responsibilities of adulthood, particularly when they had not been actively involved in preparations. Participants described both sources of resilience, such as personal motivation and initiative, and vulnerabilities, including bureaucratic barriers and disruptions in support. Most participants recommended clearer, earlier and more practical guidance about the transition to adulthood. They emphasised the importance of learning by doing, tailoring support to individual needs and maintaining continuity in professional relationships. These findings provide insight into the evolving nature of support during this critical life stage, and highlight the importance of a gradual and well‐structured transition that fosters both independence and ongoing guidance.