Liminal resistance towards and within migratory hotspots – On the transformative potential of critical participatory action research with African unaccompanied minors in Italy

In an age of migration, movement in-between and across both physical and symbolic borders becomes increasingly prevalent. Such liminal experiences are particularly unsettling for more vulnerable people on the move such as unaccompanied minors. Nevertheless, the Italian reception system creates a thriving ground for liminal hotspots due to the precarious conditions of extraordinary reception facilities (CAS). Here, the experience of life on hold might become chronically stuck within confining borders thus producing further vulnerabilizations. In order to support unaccompanied minors in this transitory phase, there is a need for psychosocial support. In the current study we conducted a community based, participatory action research project with African unaccompanied minors living in a CAS in Italy. Aiming at the conceptualization of a critical approach to psychosocial support that acknowledges the interconnectedness of well-being and social justice, we integrated a Critical Conscientization framework with socio-historical cultural psychology and liminality theory. Throughout the course of three months, we implemented seven semi-structured interventions and several informal meetings around the generative theme “Power”. Hereby, we combined critical discussions, experiential activities and art, particularly the Photovoice method, in order to create a holistic dialogue. Within our research collective, we aimed at exploring the potentialities of conducting critical participatory action research as a form of psychosocial support. In this thesis, I particularly analyse the various resistance strategies we encountered and created during the project in order to deal with the in-between nature of the CAS environment, highlighting how such strategies reflect both confining and transformative potentials. I conclude by discussing (theor)ethical and practical implications for psychosocial support for unaccompanied minors as well as directions for future research.