Psychosocial Accompaniment of Unaccompanied Central American Youth: A Collaborative Inquiry

Abstract

This liberatory participatory action research involved a collaborative inquiry by unaccompanied minors from Central America. Using participatory action research and a liberatory approach, the study followed the youth as they investigated and shared their experiences in the systems of custody and legal protection that exist for unaccompanied minors in the United States. The research question, developed with the youth, was what is the experience of unaccompanied minors as they journey to the United States? Their collaborative inquiry is reflected in the mural that they created and their complementary written personal narratives. The co-creation of the mural and personal narratives developed their self-awareness as they discovered and understood their social placement. The research question also stimulated the participants’ consideration of taking action for social change through the sharing of their experience with the public. The work of these youth took place in the accompaniment of adults who witnessed the youths’ inquiry and shared knowledge with them about the journeys of other unaccompanied minors.