Provides an overview of current research concerning adjustment and behavioral problems, including violence, among refugee and immigrant youth living in the United States as well as suggestions for effective prevention and treatment programs that can be used by health, education, and social service agencies. Chapters cover: (1) key definitions; (2) national statistics on youth problem behavior and prevalence of problem behaviors among refugee and immigrant youth; (3) risk factors for maladjustment and problem behaviors, viewed in the context of the individual, family, school, peer group, and community, as well as protective factors; and (4) applicability of mainstream anti-violence programs, highlighted by the Preserving, Enriching, and Assisting Refugee Children through Enrichment (PEACE) program, spearheaded by the Utah State Division of Mental Health. The strength of the PEACE program is the structure and integrity of its consensus-building process, which enables full participation, a sense of ownership, and leadership by the refugee community. Programs successfully adapted for refugee and immigrant youth are culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate, comprehensive, family focused, long term and enduring, and sufficiently intense and involve early intervention, high rates of recruitment and retention, and highly trained personnel.
