Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2025-5
The Perspective of Young Maghrebi People With a Migratory Background and Their Social Agents on Substance Use During the Migration Process: A Qualitative Study
People with a migratory background often face traumatic experiences increasing the risk of mental health problems and substance use. It is important to gain a greater understanding of the perspectives of substance use among North African young people with a migratory background and social agents.
Methodology:
A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted. Purposive sampling methods were used to recruit 14 male participants and 9 social agents. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, and processed by thematic analysis.
Results:
Four themes were identified: beginning of cross-border consumption that worsens at the reception centers; different ways of obtaining and accessing substances; reasons leading to substance use; and mental health care needs during the migration process.
Discussion:
The implementation of individual-centered and culturally adapted psychosocial support programs can significantly contribute to mitigating psychological challenges, preventing substance use, and promoting greater well-being among people with a migratory background.
ArchibaldM. M.AmbagtsheerR. C.CaseyM. G.LawlessM. (2019). Using Zoom videoconferencing for qualitative data collection: Perceptions and experiences of researchers and participants. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18, 160940691987459. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406919874596
Berger CardosoJ.BrabeckK.StinchcombD.HeidbrinkL.PriceO. A.Gil-GarcíaÓ. F.CreaT. M.ZayasL. H. (2019). Integration of unaccompanied migrant youth in the United States: A call for research. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 45(2), 273–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2017.1404261
BravoA.Santos-GonzálezI. (2017). Menores extranjeros no acompañados en España: necesidades y modelos de intervención. Psychosocial Intervention, 26(1), 55–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psi.2015.12.001
7.
CarpenterC.SutoM. (2008). Qualitative research for occupational and physical therapist: A practical guide (1st ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
8.
CurryL.Nunez-SmithM. (2015). Applications and illustrations of mixed methods health sciences research. In CurryL.Nunez-SmithM. (Eds.), Mixed methods in health sciences research: A practical primer (pp. 37–72). SAGE
GiorgiA. P.GiorgiB. M. (2003). The descriptive phenomenological psychological method. In CamicP. M.RhodesJ. E.YardleyL. (Eds.), Qualitative research in psychology: Expanding perspectives in methodology and design (pp. 243–273). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/10595-013
11.
Gobierno de España. (2015). Ley 26/2015, de 28 de julio, de modificación del sistema de protección a la infancia y a la adolescencia. Boletin Oficial Del Estado. https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2015-8470
MalterudK. (2012). Systematic text condensation: A strategy for qualitative analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 40(8), 795–805. https://doi.org/10.1177/1403494812465030
17.
ManzaniL.Arnoso MartínezM. (2014). Bienestar psicosocial en menores y jóvenes extranjeros sin referente familiar adulto: factores de riesgo y protección. Norte de Salud Mental, 12(49), 33–45.
18.
Ministerio de la Presidencia Relaciones con las Cortes y Memoria Democrática. (2021). Real Decreto 903/2021, de 19 de octubre, por el que se modifica el Reglamento de la Ley Orgánica 4/2000, sobre derechos y libertades de los extranjeros en España y su integración social, tras su reforma por Ley Orgánica 2/2009, aprobado por el Real Decret. Boletin Oficial Del Estado. https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2021/10/19/903
19.
NewbiggingK.ThomasN. (2011). Good practice in social care for refugee and asylum-seeking children. Child Abuse Review, 20(5), 374–390. https://doi.org/10.1002/car.1178
20.
O’BrienB. C.HarrisI. B.BeckmanT. J.ReedD. A.CookD. A. (2014). Standards for reporting qualitative research. Academic Medicine, 89(9), 1245–1251. https://doi.org/10.1097/ACM.0000000000000388
21.
OnaolapoO. J.OlofinnadeA. T.OjoF. O.AdeleyeO.FaladeJ.OnaolapoA. Y. (2022). Substance use and substance use disorders in Africa: An epidemiological approach to the review of existing literature. World Journal of Psychiatry, 12(10), 1268–1286. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v12.i10.1268
22.
Palacín BartroliC.Herrera-GutierrezM.-R.Montagud MayorX.Velasco VázquezM. K. (2023). Piedras en la mochila: duelo y estrés en jóvenes migrantes sin acompañamiento. Migraciones. Publicación Del Instituto Universitario de Estudios Sobre Migraciones, 57, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.14422/mig.2023.006
Spain. (2018). España. Ley Orgánica 3/2018, de 5 de diciembre, de Protección de Datos Personales y garantía de los derechos digitales. Boletín Oficial Del Estado (BOE), 294, 119778–119857. https://www.boe.es/eli/es/lo/2018/12/05/3
27.
TongA.SainsburyP.CraigJ. (2007). Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 19(6), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzm042
28.
Turner-BowkerD. M.LamoureuxR. E.StokesJ.Litcher-KellyL.GalipeauN.YaworskyA.SolomonJ.ShieldsA. L. (2018). Informing a priori sample size estimation in qualitative concept elicitation interview studies for clinical outcome assessment instrument development. Value in Health, 21(7), 839–842. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2017.11.014
