International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being · Available online 23 Jul 2026 · In press · DOI 10.1080/17482631.2026.2705751
Gjertrud Moe, Linn Okkenhaug Getz, Bente Prytz Mjølstad, Borgunn Ytterhus
Purpose When young unaccompanied refugees are settled in a local municipality, they are expected to gradually take responsibility for organizing their everyday lives, including accessing public services. This study aims to examine these young people's experiences of health-related support and primary healthcare in everyday life when settled in Norway. Method In-depth interviews with nineteen young unaccompanied refugees (18–25 years) from Afghanistan, Eritrea, and Syria. The interviews were analysed using interpretive phenomenology. Theoretically, Axel Honneth's philosophy of recognition is applied. Results The young unaccompanied refugees use their agency to manage daily life, support and care for family abroad, and attend school; however, the absence of primary relations loving forms made them vulnerable in terms of self-confidence, as described in Honneth's taxonomy. They emphasized that professionals must integrate care and recognition into routine services to maintain their well-being and dignity. Teachers and school nurses offered relational continuity and meaningful support, but the participants felt that their concerns were insufficiently acknowledged by GPs when presenting indistinct symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches. Still, most of the young participants reported high-quality care from their GP when dealing with acute or clearly defined medical issues. Conclusion The young refugees revealed both agency and vulnerability. They also expressed unmet needs for recognition, particularly within their primary relationships. In this context, teachers and school nurses provided availability, continuity and person-centred care, enabling participants to feel recognized and able to manage everyday life. Although GPs encounter them less frequently and within stricter time constraints, their role remains pivotal. Strengthening GPs' capacity to recognize young refugee patients as whole persons, including their need for recognition and their emotional vulnerability, represents an important area for improvement.
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Moe, G., Getz, L., Mjølstad, B., et al. (2026). Experiences of everyday health support and healthcare among settled young people who arrived as unaccompanied refugees in Norway. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2026.2705751