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Fortuna LR, Porche MV. Upholding the Human Rights and Well-Being of Refugee Children Through Effective Clinical Care. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2024; 33:111-124. [PMID: 38395499 PMCID: PMC10894321 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2023.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Refugee children are often exposed to adversities and traumatic experiences that can harm the mental health and well-being of refugee children. These include human trafficking and exploitation and dangers in detention centers and refugee camps. All these adverse events can be traumatic and contribute to poor mental health, including posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders. Therefore, the assessment of refugee children and adolescents should include screening and identification for these experiences, provision of evidence-based trauma treatment, and social supports to promote their well-being and thriving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa R Fortuna
- University of California Riverside, School of Medicine Education Building 2, 5th Floor, Psychiatry and Neurosciences, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
| | - Michelle V Porche
- University of California, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 1001 Potrero Avenue, Building 5, 7M10, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
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Bernhardt K, Le Beherec S, Uppendahl JR, Fleischmann M, Klosinski M, Rivera LM, Samaras G, Kenney M, Müller R, Nehring I, Mall V, Hahnefeld A. Young children's development after forced displacement: a systematic review. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health 2024; 18:20. [PMID: 38303022 PMCID: PMC10835848 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-024-00711-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine the impact of displacement experiences on 0- to 6-year-old children's social-emotional and cognitive development, as well as influencing factors on reported outcomes. STUDY DESIGN We systematically searched MEDline, Psyndex, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Elsevier, TandF, Oxford Journal of Refugee Studies, Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies, and Canada's Journal on Refugees for existing literature regarding social-emotional and cognitive outcomes in children directly exposed to forced displacement due to political violence. Results were synthesized in the discussion and displayed using harvest plots. RESULTS Our search generated 9,791 articles of which 32 were selected for review and evaluation according to NICE criteria. Included studies provided results for 6,878 forcibly displaced children. Measured outcomes were diverse and included areas such as peer relations, prosocial behavior, family functioning, play, intelligence, learning performance, and language development. Repeated exposure to adverse experiences, separation from parents, parental distress, as well as duration and quality of resettlement in the host country were reported as influencing factors in the reviewed studies. CONCLUSION As protective factors like secure and stable living conditions help to promote children's development, we call for policies that enhance participation in the welcoming society for refugee families. Early integration with low-threshold access to health and educational facilities can help to mitigate the wide-ranging negative consequences of forced displacement on young children's development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Bernhardt
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Saskia Le Beherec
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Kbo Kinderzentrum, Heiglhofstrasse 65, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Jana R Uppendahl
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Melia Fleischmann
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Klosinski
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Luisa M Rivera
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Georgia Samaras
- Department of Science, Technology and Society, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Martha Kenney
- Department of Women and Gender Studies, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ruth Müller
- Department of Science, Technology and Society, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- School of Management, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Ina Nehring
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Volker Mall
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Kbo Kinderzentrum, Heiglhofstrasse 65, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Hahnefeld
- Chair of Social Pediatrics, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Kbo Kinderzentrum, Heiglhofstrasse 65, 81377, Munich, Germany
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Vicentini G, Burro R, Rocca E, Lonardi C, Hall R, Raccanello D. Development and evaluation of psychoeducational resources for adult carers to emotionally support young people impacted by wars: A community case study. Front Psychol 2022; 13:995232. [PMID: 36405186 PMCID: PMC9667041 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.995232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wars and armed conflicts have a devastating impact at the economic, social, and individual level. Millions of children and adolescents are forced to bear their disastrous consequences, also in terms of mental health. Their effects are even more complicated when intertwined with those of other disasters such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. To help them face such adverse events, lay adults can be supported by psychoeducational interventions involving simple tools to assist children and adolescents emotionally. Hence, we planned and implemented two public communication campaigns concerning wars to support adult carers such as parents, teachers, educators, psychologists, first responders, and others interested in young people's wellbeing. We developed psychoeducational materials to help children and adolescents cope with negative emotions related to indirect and direct exposure to wars. This study had the objective to identify the content for two pamphlets, testing their comprehensibility, usability, and utility, and monitoring their dissemination. First, based on classifications of coping strategies and on a previous campaign about COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to include in the psychoeducational materials basic information on news about wars and common reactions to wars, respectively; on emotions that might be experienced; and on coping strategies for dealing with negative emotions. For the first pamphlet, we identified the strategies involving 141 adults. They completed an online survey with open-ended questions concerning ways to help children and adolescents cope with negative emotions associated with the Russia-Ukraine war. For the second pamphlet, we selected the contents based on Psychological First Aid manuals. Through content analyses, we chose 24 strategies. Second, data gathered with 108 adults who had consulted the psychoeducational materials supported their comprehensibility, usability, and utility. Third, we monitored the visibility of the campaigns after the release of the pamphlets, using Google Analytics™ data from the HEMOT® website through which we disseminated them. To conclude, our findings supported the comprehensibility, the usability, and the utility of the two pamphlets, to be disseminated as psychoeducational materials in the early phase of a disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Vicentini
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy,*Correspondence: Giada Vicentini,
| | - Roberto Burro
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Emmanuela Rocca
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Cristina Lonardi
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rob Hall
- Environmetrics Pty Ltd, Killara, NSW, Australia,Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Kaptan SK, Varese F, Yilmaz B, Andriopoulou P, Husain N. “Online delivery gave me privacy and distance from others”: feasibility trial and qualitative evaluation of an online intervention for refugees and asylum seekers;
LTP
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EMDR G‐TEP. COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/capr.12580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Safa Kemal Kaptan
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | - Filippo Varese
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester Manchester UK
- Complex Trauma and Resilience Research Unit Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Manchester UK
| | - Betul Yilmaz
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester Manchester UK
| | | | - Nusrat Husain
- Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester Manchester UK
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Chwastek S, Leyendecker B, Busch J. Socio-Emotional Problems and Learning Skills of Roma and Recently Arrived Refugee Children in German Elementary Schools. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1027/2512-8442/a000096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract. Background: In Germany, many recently arrived and minority families live in multi-ethnic, high-poverty districts. Multiple risk factors threaten their children’s development. Aims: We examined the socio-emotional problems of these children in relation to their academic learning skills and executive functioning. Method: We compared teacher-rated socio-emotional problems of n = 112 Roma children (90% foreign-born), n = 101 refugee children (all foreign-born), and n = 56 German-born immigrant children (age in months: M = 99.66, SD = 13.61) between groups and to norm data. We related socio-emotional problems to receptive vocabulary, cognitive reasoning, motor skills, and executive functioning in n = 83 refugee and Roma children. Results: Roma children showed higher rates above cut-off than norm data in all subscales, more problems in all subscales but emotional symptoms than immigrant children, and more hyperactivity/inattention and peer problems than refugee children. Refugee children showed higher rates above cut-off than norm data in all subscales and more peer problems than immigrant children. Academic learning skills were overall below average among recently arrived children. Prosocial behavior was positively linked to fine motor skills. Other socio-emotional problems were not linked to academic learning skills and executive functioning. Gross and visuo-motor skills correlated positively with other academic learning skills. Limitations: We analyzed cross-sectional data. We did not include risk factors or non-immigrant German children. Conclusion: The heightened socio-emotional problems and low academic learning skills of refugee and particularly Roma children in high-poverty districts could jeopardize their educational trajectories. Additional support measures could increase their chances for educational participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Chwastek
- Faculty of Psychology, Child and Family Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Birgit Leyendecker
- Faculty of Psychology, Child and Family Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Julian Busch
- Faculty of Psychology, Child and Family Research, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
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Kaptan SK, Varese F, Yilmaz B, Andriopoulou P, Husain N. Protocol of a feasibility trial for an online group parenting intervention with an integrated mental health component for parent refugees and asylum-seekers in the United Kingdom: (LTP + EMDR G-TEP). SAGE Open Med 2021; 9:20503121211067861. [PMID: 34992783 PMCID: PMC8724986 DOI: 10.1177/20503121211067861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Conflicts expose families to a range of factors that could have a negative impact upon parental mental health which in turn leads to poor growth and development of children. Early support can improve parental mental health and parenting behaviours but currently, there is a lack of evidence on parenting interventions for forcibly displaced populations. This study aims to deliver an online parenting intervention with a mental health component for refugee and asylum-seeker parents to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability. METHODS This is a single-arm trial without a control group. The trial aims to recruit 14 refugee and asylum-seeker parents into an Online Learning Through Play and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (LTP + EMDR G-TEP). The intervention will be delivered by trained research team members using online platforms. RESULTS The participants' sense of parenting competence, symptoms of traumatic stress, anxiety and depression will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews at post-intervention will also be conducted. DISCUSSION This study will assess the feasibility and inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of LTP + EMDR G-TEP intervention for parent refugees and asylum-seekers with young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa Kemal Kaptan
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Filippo Varese
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Betul Yilmaz
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Nusrat Husain
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Wilson C, Hutchinson AD. Educational attainment in displaced children with cancer. Lancet Oncol 2021; 22:1650-1652. [PMID: 34856136 PMCID: PMC8714490 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(21)00653-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlene Wilson
- Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, 5001 SA, Australia; La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia; Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
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Crooks CV, Kubishyn N, Noyes A, Kayssi G. Engaging peers to promote well‐being and inclusion of newcomer students: A call for equity‐informed peer interventions. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Claire V. Crooks
- Centre for School Mental Health, Faculty of Education Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Nataliya Kubishyn
- Centre for School Mental Health, Faculty of Education Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Amira Noyes
- Centre for School Mental Health, Faculty of Education Western University London Ontario Canada
| | - Gina Kayssi
- Centre for School Mental Health, Faculty of Education Western University London Ontario Canada
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Santacrose DE, Kia-Keating M, Lucio D. A systematic review of socioecological factors, community violence exposure, and disparities for Latinx youth. J Trauma Stress 2021; 34:1027-1044. [PMID: 34647363 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Community violence exposure poses a public health risk exacerbated by immigration-related stressors and environmental factors, including systemic racism and interpersonal discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, and anti-immigrant laws and policies, that disproportionately impact Latinx-immigrant and systematically minoritized youth. Using the ecological-transactional model of community violence as a conceptual framework, this systematic review was conducted to examine research on exposure to community violence, risk and protective factors, and associated health and mental health sequelae among Latinx youth. The initial search generated 2,152 articles, 291 of which were reviewed for detailed evaluation; ultimately, 59 articles were included. Mexican-origin youth and adolescent samples were the most represented in research studies. Across several studies, Latinx youth reported high rates of violence exposure and poor health or mental health outcomes. The findings revealed important gaps in socioecological factors, with a dearth of evidence establishing macrosystem factors or culturally salient and immigrant-related factors. Notable risk and protective factors at various ecological levels were identified and discussed as key opportunities for future research and points of intervention or prevention efforts for Latinx-immigrant and systematically minoritized youth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana E Santacrose
- Department of Psychology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maryam Kia-Keating
- Department of Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, USA
| | - Daniella Lucio
- Department of Psychology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, USA
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