Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
Volume 20, Issue 1, 2015, Pages 106-116

Stressful life experiences and mental health problems among unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (Article)

Jensen T.K.* , Fjermestad K.W. , Granly L. , Wilhelmsen N.H.
  • a Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, P.b.1094, Oslo, Blindern, 0317, Norway
  • b Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway, Frambu Resource Centre for Rare Disorders, Oslo, Norway
  • c Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo, Norway
  • d Regional Office for Children, Youth and Family Affairs, Eastern-Norway, Norway

Abstract

Unaccompanied asylum-seeking children aged 10-16 years (N = 93, M = 13.8, SD = 1.4, 81% boys) were assessed 6 months after arrival in Norway (SD = 5 months). Participants originated from 14 countries (63% Asia; 36% Africa). Severe life events (SLE) and psychological symptoms were measured by self-report. Participants reported a mean of 5.5 SLE (SD = 2.4), the most prevalent being death of a close person (68%), witnessing violence (63%), and war (62%). Some 54% scored above clinical cutoff on posttraumatic stress symptoms, 30% on anxiety symptoms, 20% on depressive symptoms, and 7% on externalizing symptoms. Number of SLE was associated with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (r =.50, p <.001), depression (r =.27, p =.020), and anxiety symptoms(r =. 34, p =.003), but not externalizing symptoms (r =.02, p =.874). None of the symptom variables were associated with age or gender. Results indicate that many unaccompanied asylum-seeking children have experienced not only war-related traumas but several other severe life adversities as well. It may thus be helpful to conduct early assessments on this group of children to assess their need for treatment or other psychosocial interventions. © The Author(s) 2013.

Author Keywords

Children stressful life events Mental health unaccompanied asylum seekers PTSD

Index Keywords

anxiety depression refugee bereavement Norway human Life Change Events Refugees Asia war violence statistics and numerical data Stress, Psychological mental stress life event ethnology Humans psychology Adolescent male female Africa Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84919393393&doi=10.1177%2f1359104513499356&partnerID=40&md5=1f7f9c347249491a929a111f8bcc0aab
DOI: 10.1177/1359104513499356
ISSN: 13591045
Cited by: 37
Original Language: English