Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 10-16 years (N = 93, M = 13.8, SD = 1.4, 81% boys) were assessed 6 months after arrival in Norway (SD = 5 months). Participants originated from 14 countries (63% Asia; 36% Africa). Severe life events (SLE) and psychological symptoms were measured by self-report. Participants reported a mean of 5.5 SLE (SD = 2.4), the most prevalent being death of a close person (68%), witnessing violence (63%), and war (62%). Some 54% scored above clinical cutoff on posttraumatic stress symptoms, 30% on anxiety symptoms, 20% on depressive symptoms, and 7% on externalizing symptoms. Number of SLE was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (r =.50, p < .001), depression (r =.27, p = .020), and anxiety symptoms(r =. 34, p = .003), but not externalizing symptoms (r =.02, p = .874). None of the symptom variables were associated with age or gender. Results indicate that many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children have experienced not only war-related traumas but several other severe life adversities as well. It may thus be helpful to conduct early assessments on this group of children to assess their need for treatment or other psychosocial interventions.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359104513499356 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Mapping Psychosocial Challenges, Mental Health Difficulties, and MHPSS Services for Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children in Greece: Insights from Service Providers.
Children (Basel)
November 2024
Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Papadiamantopoulou 123, 11527 Athens, Greece.
Background/objectives: Evidence-based information is crucial for policymakers and providers of mental health and psychosocial services (MHPSS) for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC). However, there is a scarcity of national-level studies investigating the MHPSS needs of UASC and how these are addressed in Greece. The research objectives of this study were to explore: (a) the psychosocial and mental health needs of UASC living in Greek long-term accommodation facilities as perceived by MHPSS providers, and (b) the range of services across the country, highlighting gaps and best practices in service delivery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF'Sweden has changed me': a qualitative study exploring the sexual health needs and associated mental health aspects of young male former unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers and refugees in Region Stockholm, Sweden.
BMJ Open
December 2024
Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Objectives: Sexual health needs of young refugees and asylum-seeking men are seldom explored or addressed, adversely affecting their mental and physical well-being. By interviewing young male former unaccompanied minors, refugees and asylum seekers in Stockholm, Sweden, this study aimed to get a deeper understanding of what they needed to achieve a positive and respectful approach to sexuality, romantic and consensual relationships. Additionally, we explored how their sexual health needs were related to their mental health, as well as the factors influencing both.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDevelopment and Validation of the Adolescent and Children Risk of Abuse and Maltreatment Unaccompanied Scale (ACRAM-US).
J Child Adolesc Trauma
September 2024
Department of Sociology and Social Anthropology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Independent migration of children and adolescents is becoming a political and social issue in recent years. Literature documents that the migration process of young people without an adult referent entail serious psychological problems. Moreover, the lack of coherence in the assessment and care processes aggravates the damage suffered by minors, which requires a greater investment of institutional resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOperationalizing Initial Medical Evaluations for Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Minors in the Custody of Office of Refugee Resettlement Within a Primary Care Setting.
Acad Pediatr
July 2024
From the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.. Electronic address:
Life Satisfaction among Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: Associations with Traumatic Events and Daily Hassles.
J Child Adolesc Trauma
June 2024
Division of Psychology and Mental Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
While there is a growing literature about mental health problems among unaccompanied asylum-seeking and refugee minors (URMs), far less is known about their wellbeing. Such information is important as a subjective sense of wellbeing is associated with a variety of positive health and psychosocial outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine life satisfaction and the association with traumatic events, daily hassles, and asylum status among URMs in Norway.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!