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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Young people with long-term health challenges experiences in transition to adulthood: A qualitative metasynthesis

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Author's accepted manuscript This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Rasalingam, A., Fegran, L., Brekke, I. & Helseth, S. (2021). Young people with long-term health challenges experiences in transition to adulthood: A qualitative metasynthesis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 77(2), 595-607 which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14641. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited. Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of the transition to adult-hood for young people with long-term health challenges.Design: The metasynthesis approach was based on the guidelines by Sandelowski and Barroso for synthesizing qualitative research.Data sources: Seven electronic databases: CINAHL, Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and SocIndex were searched on 6–10 February 2020.Review methods: Studies were critically appraised using the Joanna Briggs criti-cal appraisal tool. Qualitative data were extracted, meta-summarised, then meta-synthesized.Findings: Nineteen qualitative studies were included in this review. Six themes il-lustrated experiences in the transition to adulthood: wishing for an ‘ordinary’ life, significance of close network, working towards independence, in need of systemic resources and services, psychosocial challenges and keeping a positive attitude.Conclusion: Young people with long-term health challenges wished for as ‘ordinary’ a life as possible in the future. In the transition to adulthood, they gradually gained more competence in self-management skills and knowledge and strived to become more independent. By having a positive attitude and using other coping strategies, young people can work on some of the difficulties they experience in this phase. However, to achieve and maintain independence young people with long-term health challenges are dependent on the support of a close network and systemic support and services.Impact: The findings highlight the need to help alleviate the fears and worries of young people with long-term health challenges and create opportunities for success-ful transition to adulthood by increased awareness and interventions from policy-makers and professionals in the health and social system