The identity and belonging feelings of Syrian refugee children in adolescence: The Case of Kocaeli

This study aims to reveal how identity and belonging perceptions of adolescent Syrian refugee children are shaped. Because of the wars and conflicts in Syria, children are the most negavitely affected from forced migration which taken toward Turkey. The children who were heavily affected by the war found themselves ın a new language, culture and society in the country where they have migrated. The children who are adversely affected by the forced migration have some crucial problems about social adaptation and belonging the society that they dive into. Children affected by forced migration have also struggled problems in the context of social acceptance and adaptation in this new country which they have replaced. One of the ost significant developmental tasks of the adolescanse is building of the identity. The most important developmental task of adolescence is the acquisition of identity. In this respect, it is important to investigate the identity and belonging feelings of adolescent Syrian refugee children in theprocess of identity formation in the context of harmony and integration. In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with 19 Syrian refugee children aged 13-17 years using qualitative research methods. According to the data obtained with in the scope of the study identity development processes of children whose socialization processes were positive were also positive. Inaddition, it was seen that children who have positive socialization processes carry double belonging and they longed for Syria because of being a country of origin and protect their ethnic identity. Keywords: Migration, Child, Adolescence, Identity, Belonging