Coping of Young Refugees in Germany

Nilles, Hannah; Kerkhoff, Denise; Demir, Zeynep; Braig, Johanna; Schmees, Pia; Rueth, Jana-Elisa; Eschenbeck, Heike; Lohaus, Arnold

doi:10.1027/2512-8442/a000094

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 49 publications

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“… 20 , 34 , 41 A possible contributor for elevated risk of emotional distress for female unaccompanied children and adolescents migrating to the US is the high rates of interpersonal trauma, including sexual violence experienced by girls and women before and during migration. 11 , 20 Alternatively, this may be related to findings from multiethnic adolescents that coping strategies can vary by gender and sex 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 and that some strategies (eg, avoidance) 53 may limit reported psychiatric symptoms. Social expectations may also influence disclosure of distress (eg, boys may underreport symptoms).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistence of Emotional Distress in Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents Primarily From the Northern Triangle of Central America

Vega Potler,

Zhang,

Hackley

et al. 2023

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceIn the US, unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents (hereinafter referred to as children) are predominantly from Central America’s Northern Triangle. While unaccompanied migrant children are at high risk for psychiatric sequelae due to complex traumatic exposures, longitudinal investigations of psychiatric distress after resettlement are lacking.ObjectiveTo identify factors associated with emotional distress and longitudinal changes in emotional distress among unaccompanied migrant children in the US.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsFor this retrospective cohort study, the 15-item Refugee Health Screener (RHS-15) was administered between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, to unaccompanied migrant children as part of their medical care to detect emotional distress. Follow-up RHS-15 results were included if they were completed before February 29, 2020. Median follow-up interval was 203 days (IQR, 113-375 days). The study was conducted in a federally qualified health center that provides medical, mental health, and legal services. Unaccompanied migrant children who completed the initial RHS-15 were eligible for analysis. Data were analyzed from April 18, 2022, to April 23, 2023.ExposuresTraumatic events before migration, during migration, during detention, and after resettlement in the US.Main Outcomes and MeasuresEmotional distress, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as indicated by the RHS-15 (ie, score ≥12 on items 1-14 or ≥5 on item 15).ResultsIn total, 176 unaccompanied migrant children completed an initial RHS-15. They were primarily from Central America’s Northern Triangle (153 [86.9%]), were mostly male (126 [71.6%]), and had a mean (SD) age of 16.9 (2.1) years. Of the 176 unaccompanied migrant children, 101 (57.4%) had screen results above the positive cutoff. Girls were more likely to have positive screen results than boys (odds ratio, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.15-5.34]; P = .02). Follow-up scores were available for 68 unaccompanied migrant children (38.6%). On the follow-up RHS-15, most scored above the positive cutoff (44 [64.7%]). Three-quarters of unaccompanied migrant children who scored above the positive cutoff initially continued to have positive scores at follow-up (30 of 40), and half of those with negative screen scores initially had positive scores at follow-up (14 of 28). Female vs male unaccompanied migrant children (unstandardized β = 5.14 [95% CI, 0.23-10.06]; P = .04) and initial total score (unstandardized β = 0.41 [95% CI, 0.18-0.64]; P = .001) were independently associated with increased follow-up RHS-15 total score.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings suggest that unaccompanied migrant children are at high risk for emotional distress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. The persistence of emotional distress suggests that unaccompanied migrant children would benefit from ongoing psychosocial and material support after resettlement.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistence of Emotional Distress in Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents Primarily From the Northern Triangle of Central America

Vega Potler,

Zhang,

Hackley

et al. 2023

JAMA Netw Open

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Exploring Coping Strategies Among Ukrainian Refugee Adolescents

Chabursky,

Walper

2024

Kindheit und Entwicklung

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Theoretical Background: The war in Ukraine has led to the displacement of countless families, subjecting children and adolescents to significant stressors such as trauma from the conflict, loss, and the challenges of adapting to a new culture upon resettlement. To deal with these stressors, they develop and employ a variety of coping strategies. Aim: This study aimed to identify and explore the innate coping strategies employed by Ukrainian refugee adolescents as they adapt to life in Germany after displacement in order to better understand how to support them during such a difficult time of crisis. Method: We conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with Ukrainian refugees aged 12 – 18 years, covering topics from their escape from Ukraine to their everyday life in Germany. The data were holistically analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method. The themes identified, representing the coping strategies employed by the refugees, were examined in light of Lazarus and Folkman’s psychological stress and coping theory, which distinguishes between emotion-focused and problem-focused coping. Results: The analysis revealed a multifaceted approach to coping, encompassing both emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies. Many participants prioritized educational pursuits and future planning, adopting a proactive approach to their new challenges. Maintaining familiar routines from their life in Ukraine provided a sense of continuity and stability amid change. Emotional regulation, facilitated by creative activities and social support, emerged as a critical coping theme. Building and maintaining social connections were key for emotional support and integration. Some adolescents coped by distancing themselves from distressing aspects of their past or present, while others engaged in reflecting on past experiences, sometimes finding solace and at other times experiencing sorrow. Notably, despite facing adversities, a sense of optimism was observed in some adolescents, indicating an adaptive and resilient mindset. Discussion and Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of holistic support for refugee children and adolescents that acknowledges and works with their innate coping strategies. It highlights the complexity of the refugee experience, where growth and struggle coexist, and the need for tailored interventions to support young refugees in not only immediate challenges but also in long-term mental health.

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Health and Well-Being of Refugee Children and Adolescents

2022

European Journal of Health Psychology

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According to the UN Refugee Agency data, at the end of 2020, 82.4 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide due to persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events seriously disturbing public order (UNHCR, 2021). Many of them are refugees (26.4 million), and about half were under the age of 18. At the end of 2019, approximately 10% of all refugees lived in the EU, which amounts to 0.6% of the EU population (European Commission, 2021). In total, there were 2.6 million refugees in Europe until the end of 2019.As refugees are frequently exposed to traumatic experiences before, during, or after fleeing, they represent a particularly vulnerable group. Such traumatic experiences include war or persecution, other life-threatening events, or family separation. In addition, refugees rarely have full access to the healthcare system in their host country, thereby substantially increasing an already elevated risk for several adverse health and social outcomes (Helgesson et al., 2021). Not only individual events experienced as intensely stressful can be triggers for mental health problems, but also poly-victimization experiences leading to cumulative effects (Finkelhor et al., 2011). Increased prevalence rates of mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) and stress-related somatic complaints (e.g., pain) are, therefore, common in refugees. In particular, high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) have been observed in refugees, with an approximately 10-fold higher risk for PTSD among refugees compared to age-matched native populations (Fazel et al., 2005;Mölsä et al., 2014). Adverse outcomes are even more likely if there is a lack of social resources, particularly the case for young unaccompanied refugees (Jensen et al., 2014).In general, the mental and physical health of refugees is an important issue for health psychology research. Such research can expand our knowledge on the epidemiology of health-related problems and to better understand causes

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Coping of Young Refugees in Germany

Cited by 5 publications

References 49 publications

Persistence of Emotional Distress in Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents Primarily From the Northern Triangle of Central America

Persistence of Emotional Distress in Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents Primarily From the Northern Triangle of Central America

Exploring Coping Strategies Among Ukrainian Refugee Adolescents

Health and Well-Being of Refugee Children and Adolescents

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