“This paper outlines major international research findings of the past ten years reflecting knowledge gathered about the psychological health of child and adolescent refugee/asylum seekers. In doing so, several key areas of consistency are identified. First, with the majority of research in this area centered on the prevalence of psychopathology, and particularly post-traumatic stress symptoms, it has been clearly demonstrated that refugee children and adolescents are vulnerable to the effects of pre-migration, most notably exposure to trauma. Second, particular groups in this population constitute higher psychological risk than others, namely those with extended trauma experience, unaccompanied or separated children and adolescents, and those engaged in the uncertain process of sought asylum. Third, certain risk and protective factors appear to exist that temper or aggravate poor psychological health. These include family cohesion, parental psychological health, individual dispositional factors such as adaptability, temperament and positive self-esteem, and environmental factors such as peer and community support.” – Publisher’s description CONTENTS Abstract Major Research Findings i. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Symptomology ii. Co-existence of several disorders and symptomology iii. Risk (Vulnerability) and Protective (resilience) factors Conclusions References and Suggested Readings About the Authors
