Traumatic stress and mental health among war-zone immigrants in Toronto

Academic and Social Adjustment of High School Refugee Youth in Newfoundland

“…While academic adjustment is a key indicator of newcomer youth adaptation to a new learning environment, social adjustment is no less important, as shown in a number of studies (e.g., Stermac, Brazeau, & Martin, 2008;Yeh, 2003;Yeh et al, 2008). Yeh and colleagues maintained that communication can be a significant concern for newcomer students in developing relationships with their local peers (Yeh & Inose, 2002), and low English proficiency is partially accountable for such heightened intercultural competency concerns (Yeh et al, 2008).…”

“…Yeh and colleagues maintained that communication can be a significant concern for newcomer students in developing relationships with their local peers (Yeh & Inose, 2002), and low English proficiency is partially accountable for such heightened intercultural competency concerns (Yeh et al, 2008). Other studies have indicated that newcomer youth with traumatic experiences may be faced with additional mental health issues that need to be addressed (e.g., Cole, 1998;Stermac et al, 2008). Refugees from war zones, particularly some African countries, experience difficulties in school as a result of cultural clashes and societal changes (Berthold, 2000;De Gourville, 2002;Hersi, 2005;Ngo, Rossiter, & Stewart, 2013).…”

Mediators of Posttraumatic Mental Health in Sexual Assault Survivors

“…It is also possible that the participants not working were attending educational programs on a full-time basis. Our previous research with trauma survivors (Stermac, Brazeau, & Martin, 2008) suggests that participating in an educational program is an important factor in feeling connected to others and is related to more positive mental health. Although specific details regarding this hypothesis are not known in this study, the ability to attend school full time might have contributed to the development of more positive attitudes and relationships.…”

“…Common themes in reflective rumination include self-statements about strength, ability to survive, new perspectives and awareness, different and improved relationships, and spirituality (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). Research in this area found that use of deliberate or reflective rumination in processing traumatic experiences was positively associated with PTG, whereas use of intrusive rumination was not related to positive posttraumatic outcomes (Cabral et al, 2010;Stockton, Hunt, & Joseph, 2011).…”

Love Thy Neighbor: Current and Potential Responses to Young, Male, Syrian, Refugee Students in the European Union Higher Education Sector

“…Refugee student perceptions of achievement and self-confidence are directly impacted by the amount of support they receive from the educational institutes (Kia-Keating & Ellis, 2007;Stermac et al, 2008). Refugee, student support services may include staff who are trained in a variety of refugee-related topics such as the psychology of youth from war zones, cultural and religious sensitivity, and academic assessment and planning.…”