Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Volume 43, Issue 1, 2004, Pages 24-36

Review of child and adolescent refugee mental health (Article)

Lustig S.L.* , Kia-Keating M. , Knight W.G. , Geltman P. , Ellis H. , Kinzie J.D. , Keane T. , Saxe G.N.
  • a Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, Children's Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Fegan 8, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States
  • b Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • c Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
  • f Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, United States
  • g Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States, Veterans Administration Boston Healthcare System, United States
  • h Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Objective: To review stressful experiences and stress reactions among child and adolescent refugees, as well as interventions and ethical considerations in research and clinical work, within the framework of the chronological experiences of child refugees; namely, the phases of preflight, flight, and resettlement. Highlighted are special refugee populations such as unaccompanied minors, asylum seekers, and former child soldiers. Pertinent medical findings are summarized. Method: The authors reviewed articles from 1990 to 2003 addressing the topics above. Literature was gathered from databases including PsycINFO, Medline, and SocioFile. Pertinent earlier papers and those from other disciplines cited in database-identified articles were also included. Results: Child and adolescent refugees suffer from significant conflict-related exposures. Reactions to stress may be mediated by coping strategies, belief systems, and social relations. Conclusions: More research is needed on interventions, specifically on efficacy and cultural relevance. Interventions that have an impact on multiple ecological levels need further development and evaluation. © 2003 by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Author Keywords

Transcultural psychiatry Refugees Child and adolescent psychiatry

Index Keywords

cultural anthropology refugee psychological aspect mental health human Life Change Events Refugees life event war coping behavior priority journal Adaptation, Psychological Medline human relation Humans Adolescent male female crisis intervention stress PsycINFO Review adaptive behavior cultural factor child health child psychiatry migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Emigration and Immigration homeless youth homelessness Culture Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-3042698679&doi=10.1097%2f00004583-200401000-00012&partnerID=40&md5=cc69cf1941effa72fdbe6f80b6cf09b4
DOI: 10.1097/00004583-200401000-00012
ISSN: 08908567
Cited by: 316
Original Language: English