Begging abroad in Sweden: An interview study

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Begging by citizens from other European Union (EU) countries is increasingly common in Scandinavia.
• These individuals face challenging circumstances, with limited understanding of their lived experiences abroad.
• The study focuses on the perceptions of EU citizens engaged in begging within Sweden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of EU citizens who are begging in Sweden.
• To understand their perceptions of their stay and the challenges they encounter.
• To identify the driving forces behind their decision to beg abroad.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive research design was employed.
• Data were collected through individual interviews with 20 EU citizens (aged 19-64) in Sweden, conducted in Romanian and translated into Swedish.
• Conventional content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.

Main Results:

• The overarching theme identified was 'A hard time abroad to improve one's life'.
• Key sub-categories included 'Endurance is required to make a living', 'Exposed to others' attitudes and kindness', 'Handling being away', and 'A better life is the driving force'.
• Participants reported experiencing occupational injustice due to long hours in non-preferred activities and limited leisure.

Conclusions:

• EU citizens begging in Sweden experience occupational injustice and significant hardship.
• Positive attitudes and environmental support are crucial for their well-being abroad.
• Occupational therapists can contribute to addressing these issues through their expertise in occupational justice.