The complexity of trauma response: a 4-year follow-up of adolescent Cambodian refugees

A scoping review of mental health issues and concerns among immigrant and refugee youth in Canada: Looking back, moving forward

“…24 The relationship between collective trauma and mental health was also not clear, as some findings suggest collective trauma could act as a protective factor. To determine whether trauma is a risk or protective factor in refugee youth mental health, it would be necessary to consider not only the intensity and duration of trauma, but the age at which the trauma is experienced.…”

“…15 A study with Cambodian youth 24 contested the negative relation between collective trauma and adaptation, but confirmed that the relation between collective trauma and mental health may not necessarily be negative: Cambodian families exposed to political violence prior to migration reported positive 'social adjustment' and fewer mental health symptoms. 24 In another study, 19 however, immigrant and refugee youth who had experienced collective and/or personal trauma self-reported greater emotional problems. The latter study involved youth participants from a range of countries of origin.…”

Trauma, exile and mental health in young refugees

“…In most studies, traumatic experience in the home country has been shown to be an important predictor for psychological problems in Montgomery exile, although this does not apply to all studies. In a study of 57 young refugees from Cambodia (135,136), no association was found between traumatic experience before arrival in Canada and later psychological problems, and contrary to expectations, the young refugees whose families had been the most exposed to political violence before the child was born tended to report less psychological problems than the young refugees from less exposed families. Rousseau et al suggest that the reason for this could be that the young refugees appreciate their parentsÕ suffering and that it gives them an experience of purpose in their lives, which again can encourage resilience.…”

Common mental health problems in immigrants and refugees: general approach in primary care

“…71 Other studies reveal that many children coping with a history of exposure to war and political violence manage to have relatively good mental health. [72][73][74] Studies in many countries including Canada find high levels of distress and depression among young refugees. 15,32,[75][76][77] During the premigration period, most refugee children and their families face social upheaval and disruptions to their social and educational development.…”