Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 39, Issue 3, 2004, Pages 191-195

Psychological disorder amongst refugee and migrant schoolchildren in London (Article)

Leavy G. , Hollins K. , King M. , Barnes J. , Papadopoulos C. , Grayson K.
  • a Research Dept., B. E./H. NHS Mental Health Trust, St. Ann's Hospital, St. Ann's Road, London N15 3TH, United Kingdom, Dept. of Psychiatry/Behav. Sciences, Royal Free and University College, London Medical School, London, United Kingdom
  • b Tavistock Clinic, London, United Kingdom
  • c Dept. of Psychiatry/Behav. Sciences, Royal Free and University College, London Medical School, London, United Kingdom
  • d Inst. Study Child. Fam./Soc. Issues, University of London, London, United Kingdom
  • e Research Dept., B. E./H. NHS Mental Health Trust, St. Ann's Hospital, St. Ann's Road, London N15 3TH, United Kingdom
  • f Tavistock Clinic, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background. Refugee and migrant children are likely to be exposed to many of the risk factors for emotional and behavioural problems. These children form a significant proportion of the school population in London and other inner cities in the UK. However, there are very little epidemiological data available on their mental health. In this study, we aimed to examine the prevalence of psychological problems among refugee and migrant schoolchildren compared to their UK-born peers. Method. A cross-sectional investigation using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) examined in association with socio-demographic variables including language preference. Results. Almost a quarter of schoolchildren might be described as having a need, with migrant and refugee children showing greater psychological distress on a number of the sub-scales of the SDQ. Language appears to be an important variable associated with distress.

Author Keywords

schoolchildren language Emotional behavioural problems migrant Refugee

Index Keywords

rating scale immigrant refugee psychological aspect alcohol consumption demography sex ratio human Refugees controlled study Cigarette Smoking Great Britain language ethnology Mental Disorders mental disease student school child Humans Adolescent male female questionnaire prevalence scoring system Article Questionnaires major clinical study United Kingdom distress syndrome Catchment Area (Health) Sex Distribution childhood disease age distribution Students residential care health care need Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-2342588105&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-004-0724-x&partnerID=40&md5=13418272632e3b51ad7003754db90808
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-004-0724-x
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 67
Original Language: English