Because you know we are alone here in Sweden : A qualitative study about sports participation among unaccompanied young adults and social integration.

The issue that this study addresses is how sport participation can function as a means for social integration. To address this problem, the purpose of the study is to understand the unaccompanied young adults’ experiences of sport association. The study was performed in a small town in southern Sweden. To gather data, semi-structured interviews with eight unaccompanied young adults were conducted. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed with Putnam's theory about social capital, theories about socialization process and relevant concepts about roles and interaction. The results of the study show that sport participation is important for their social network and their wellbeing. Through their social network they form social bonds to the other participants that are significant for their social affiliation. Through these bonds they get access to resources that are important for them and makes it possible for them to function in the Swedish society. The study also shows that the unaccompanied young adults undergo a socialization process, which is necessary, where they learn the Swedish language and get increased understanding about the Swedish society