Poster by: Sonja van der Putten
Session: B | Time: 9:45AM – 10:00AM | Location: Room 206
Education is believed to play an essential role in creating a sense of belonging amongst adolescents from refugee backgrounds. This narrative inquiry study set out to better understand the influence one Canadian school community played in seven female adolescent students’ sense of belonging. Data were collected over a five-month period through two sets of interviews, observations and an art project.
Findings indicate that a sense of belonging is best fostered by positive teacher-student and peer relationships, the opportunity for youth to get involved in positive ways within their school community, and through the availability and accessibility of support services. Sense of belonging was inhibited by language and cultural barriers, as well as limited availability of support services. The female experience was further challenged by familial responsibilities which limited opportunities to participate in the wider school community.
Abstract: 577