‘I need to belong and be part of something bigger’ – Spiritual and existential experiences and reflections among young people not in employment, education or training

Abstract

Though they are viewed negatively in society, not much is known about how young people not in education, employment and training (so-called NEET youths) see themselves. This article addresses how these youths frame and reflect upon their spiritual and existential experiences in Norway. Adopting a hermeneutical-phenomenological approach, it explores and analyses how they feel their spiritual and existential experiences impinge on their self-perceptions, meaning-making and social relationships and how these affect their existential health. The findings show that they experienced existential challenges related to poverty, loneliness, meaninglessness and fear of death, which undermined their existential health. Nevertheless, they had dreams and hopes for the future. To help promote the existential health of these young people and their smooth transition into adulthood, professionals need to learn to listen to their reflections on life, understand their existential needs, enable them to build adequate relational supports and mobilise their hopes and dreams.