Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review
Volume 19, Issue 3, 2016, Pages 185-203

Knowledge of the Unknown Child: A Systematic Review of the Elements of the Best Interests of the Child Assessment for Recently Arrived Refugee Children (Review) (Open Access)

van Os E.C.C.* , Kalverboer M.E. , Zijlstra A.E. , Post W.J. , Knorth E.J.
  • a Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, Groningen, 9712 TJ, Netherlands, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • b Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, Groningen, 9712 TJ, Netherlands, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • c Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, Groningen, 9712 TJ, Netherlands, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • d Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Rozenstraat 38, Groningen, 9712 TJ, Netherlands, Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
  • e Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands

Abstract

Decision-making regarding an asylum request of a minor requires decision-makers to determine the best interests of the child when the minor is relatively unknown. This article presents a systematic review of the existing knowledge of the situation of recently arrived refugee children in the host country. This research is based on the General Comment No. 14 of UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. It shows the importance of knowing the type and number of stressful life events a refugee child has experienced before arrival, as well as the duration and severity of these events. The most common mental health problems children face upon arrival in the host country are PTSD, depression and various anxiety disorders. The results identify the relevant elements of the best interests of the child assessment, including implications for procedural safeguards, which should promote a child rights-based decision in the asylum procedure. © 2016, The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Best interests of the child assessment Asylum Refugee children Mental health Decision-making

Index Keywords

United Nations Humans refugee Life Change Events legislation and jurisprudence human civil rights Refugees psychology life event Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978032327&doi=10.1007%2fs10567-016-0209-y&partnerID=40&md5=0315871858876a0a897edd9a1fbb227d
DOI: 10.1007/s10567-016-0209-y
ISSN: 10964037
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English