Identity resources for positive adaptation of Roma ethnic minority youth in Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Kosovo, and Romania

Roma are Europe’s largest and most vulnerable minority, currently making up nearly 12 million people, a figure that is projected to grow in the coming years because of their relatively high birth rates (Council of Europe, 2010). Despite their relevance in size and demographic increase, Roma have traditionally been subjected to severe marginalization and therefore represent the most oppressed ethnic minority in Europe (European Commission, 2013). The detrimental life conditions and chances of Roma youth in this part of the world are rooted in historic ethnic tensions and a policy of assimilation during the communist rule (major Roma settlement is in countries of the former communist bloc such as Romania, the Czech Republic, and Bulgaria). With this context in mind, we examine Roma youth through a strengths-based, positive youth development (PYD) perspective of adolescence. In so doing, we investigate ethnic and national identity resources underlying positive adaptation in Roma youth in Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Kosovo, Italy, and Romania. In all countries, Roma represent a large national minority group, traditionally marginalized, and repeatedly recognized to be those most in need of support.