Risk and Resilience for Psychological Distress amongst Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Adolescents
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| Title: | Risk and Resilience for Psychological Distress amongst Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Adolescents |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Hodes, Matthew, Jagdev, Daljit, Chandra, Navin, Cunniff, Anna |
| Source: | Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Jul 2008 49(7):723-732. |
| Availability: | Blackwell Publishing. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8599; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: customerservices@blackwellpublishing.com; Web site: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jnl_default.asp |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 10 |
| Publication Date: | 2008 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - General |
| Descriptors: | Refugees, Adolescents, Risk, Personality Traits, Psychological Patterns, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Depression (Psychology), Age Differences, Gender Differences, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | Africa, United Kingdom (London) |
| Assessment and Survey Identifiers: | Impact of Event Scale |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01912.x |
| ISSN: | 0021-9630 |
| Abstract: | Background: To investigate the level of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, and background risk and protective factors that might increase or ameliorate this distress amongst unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and adolescents (UASC). Methods: Cross-sectional survey carried out in London. Participants were 78 UASC aged 13-18 years, predominantly from the Balkans and Africa, compared with 35 accompanied refugee children. Measures included self-report questionnaires of war trauma, posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms. Results: UASC had experienced high levels of losses and war trauma, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Predictors of high posttraumatic symptoms included low-support living arrangements, female gender and trauma events, and increasing age only amongst the UASC. High depressive scores were associated with female gender, and region of origin amongst the UASC. Conclusion: UASC might have less psychological distress if offered high-support living arrangements and general support as they approach the age of 18 years, but prospective studies are required to investigate the range of risk and protective factors. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2008 |
| Accession Number: | EJ798481 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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| Abstract: | Background: To investigate the level of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms, and background risk and protective factors that might increase or ameliorate this distress amongst unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and adolescents (UASC). Methods: Cross-sectional survey carried out in London. Participants were 78 UASC aged 13-18 years, predominantly from the Balkans and Africa, compared with 35 accompanied refugee children. Measures included self-report questionnaires of war trauma, posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms. Results: UASC had experienced high levels of losses and war trauma, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Predictors of high posttraumatic symptoms included low-support living arrangements, female gender and trauma events, and increasing age only amongst the UASC. High depressive scores were associated with female gender, and region of origin amongst the UASC. Conclusion: UASC might have less psychological distress if offered high-support living arrangements and general support as they approach the age of 18 years, but prospective studies are required to investigate the range of risk and protective factors. |
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| ISSN: | 0021-9630 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01912.x |
