NÄR LIVET BÖRJAR OM: EN KVALITATIV STUDIE OM NYANLÄNDAS BERÄTTELSER OM ETABLERINGSPROCESSEN I SVERIGE

The aim of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how the establishment process has been experienced by newly arrived individuals who came to Sweden during the 2015 refugee wave. The study employs a qualitative approach, based on six semi structured interviews. A hermeneutic perspective was used to interpret the participant's subjective experiences of integration into society.The theoretical framework includes empowerment, Antonsovsky´s theory of Sense of Coherence (KASAM), and Bourdieu´s theory of capital. Empowerment was used as an analytical tool to highlight an individual´s opportunities to influence their life conditions. KASAM helped to understand how comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness affect the establishment process, while Bourdieu's theory of capital provided a nuanced understanding of how various resources and perceptions of social status shape the pathways of integration.The results indicate that the establishment process is complex and multidimensional, with individual strategies interacting with societal structures and support measures. Participants navigate between personal initiatives, support from social service and systemic barriers, influencing their opportunities for participation and long-term integration. The study emphasizes the need for flexible, individualized and coordinated measures that promote empowerment, inclusion, and sustainable integration.