Experiences of loneliness amongst newly-arrived adolescent migrants: The role of family and housing situation, and transnational contacts

Abstract

Previous studies suggest that individuals with a migration background have a higher risk for loneliness than those from the majority population. Given their age and recent migration, newly-arrived migrant adolescents face a compounded risk of loneliness, however, the characteristics associated with these experiences remain underexplored. This study aimed to examine whether family and housing situation are associated with general, social and emotional loneliness amongst newly-arrived migrant adolescents in Flanders, Belgium. Furthermore, this study sought to explore the association between transnational contacts with family members and friends in their country of origin and loneliness. Data from a cross-sectional survey amongst 1379 newly-arrived migrant adolescents, in 35 secondary schools in Flanders, were analysed using logistic multilevel modeling. Our results highlight how adolescents who migrated alone, compared to those with both parents, face elevated general and emotional loneliness, while those who migrated with one parent experience heightened social loneliness. Additionally, our results demonstrate that increased transnational contact with family correlates with reduced general, social, and emotional loneliness, whereas increased transnational contact with friends correlates with increased experiences of general and emotional loneliness. These findings underscore the nuanced impact of migration circumstances and transnational ties on diverse dimensions of loneliness, providing valuable insights for tailored interventions and support strategies.