Pilot implementation of the Identity Project intervention with unaccompanied immigrant minors in Italy

Developing a positive cultural identity is crucial for unaccompanied immigrant minors' (UIMs) integration and adjustment. This study piloted an adapted version of the Identity Project, an 8-week intervention promoting cultural identity, among UIMs (N = 31, M_age = 17 years, SD = 0.76, 55% from Eastern European and 45% from Northern African countries) in Italian residential communities. Participants reported on their cultural identity exploration and resolution at pretest, post-test, and follow-up; focus groups were conducted post intervention. Findings from an intervention mixed-method design indicated that the program was acceptable, feasible, and appropriate, with suggestions for improvement. Heterogeneous individual trajectories for both exploration and resolution emerged. This study underscores the promising value of the Identity Project for UIMs and calls for further research to conduct large-scale efficacy trials.