Barriers and Facilitators for Cultural Adaptation of Migrant Children: A Scoping Review

This scoping review aims to examine the cultural adaptation processes of migrant and refugee children in depth and to map the existing literature in this field. When children migrate, they undergo many stages of cultural, social, and psychological adaptation in the new nation. Cultural adaptation encompasses various aspects including language acquisition, identity formation, social integration, and social support networks. While adjusting to a new culture presents challenges for children at the individual and family levels, it can also have an impact on their academic performance and psychosocial growth. Methods: Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases were searched for papers published between 2014 and 2024 that examined the cultural adaptation processes of migrant children. These searches were performed as part of the study scope, and the results included both qualitative and quantitative studies. The literature has demonstrated that strong social support networks and supportive educational environments are among the characteristics that promote adaptation in addition to the negative impacts of cultural shock, identity confusion, language obstacles, and social exclusion. Schools seem to be particularly important when it comes to supporting children’s language development and social skills in an atmosphere that values cultural diversity. Additionally, the process of children's post-migration cultural adaptation was greatly influenced by family relations. Another form of stress might come from children, who assume cultural mediator responsibilities for their parents and shift roles within the family. Conclusion: Family support, community integration initiatives, and school-based support systems are crucial for children’s post-migration cultural adjustment processes to be managed successfully. The purpose of this scoping review is to help policymakers and practitioners create solutions to address migrant children’s cultural adjustment processes.