Accompagner le déménagement des mineurs non accompagnés : une étude exploratoire en protection de l’enfance

Abstract

ObjectivesThis article aims to highlight the characteristics of the trajectories of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors (UFMs), before, during and after migration, and to identify resilience guardians who allow their hooking to new environments and the ability to maintain continuity in their stories. It shows the need to support their new habitation movement. MethodBased on clinical and institutional data of 16 UFMs, 6 analyzers are used: traumatic history, the departure reasons, conditions of the trip, conditions of arrival, journey from the arrival and resilience tutors. ResultsCross-sectional analysis and two short clinical cases show that the UFMs injuries predate the migration, with chaotic family and institutional trajectories. Faced with disruptions of migration, psychic, material administrative and post-migration difficulties, they momentarily put their emotions into latency. They are helped by external tutors of resilience (intersubjective bonds) and internal resources (intra-psychic, memories, culture). Although some tutors have a paradoxical status by being a source of suffering, UFMs rely on these tutors to compose a new way of living in their psyche and their venue, and get on with their identity construction. ConclusionThe professionals have the function of intermediaries and informed smuggler to accompany these young people in a “thought of the move”, which is necessary to inhabit their bodies, psyches and invest both physical and mental places. Professionals should consider these traumatic and resilient processes in supporting unaccompanied foreign minors.