Praxis der Kinderpsychologie und Kinderpsychiatrie
Volume 65, Issue 2, 2016, Pages 97-112

Validated instruments for the psychological assessment of unaccompanied refugee minors– A systematic review [Validierte verfahren zur psychologischen diagnostik unbegleiteter minderjähriger flüchtlinge – Eine systematische übersicht] (Article)

Rassenhofer M. , Fegert J.M. , Plener P.L.* , Witt A.
  • a Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Germany
  • b Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Germany
  • c Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Germany
  • d Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinik Ulm, Germany

Abstract

The German care system faces a growing number of unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). URM show high levels of traumatization, a variety of psychological symptoms and lack important resilience factors. Therefore an early and valid psychological assessment is important for intervention and service planning. Yet, no systematic review on validated instruments for the assessment of this group exists. Literature search revealed one study about translators in the assessment of URM and five validated instruments for proxy and self-report. These instruments are available in several languages and showed good psychometric properties. It has to be critically stated that all instruments have been validated by a single work group within a single population. Especially with regards to changing definitions of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder within the new (and upcoming) classification systems ICD-11 and DSM-5, increased awareness for diagnostic procedures is necessary. Additionally, more validated instruments for specific psychological disorders in multiple languages are needed. Under an economic perspective the use of open access questionnaires that are available in different languages seems useful, even if they are not especially validated for URM. © Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen 2016.

Author Keywords

Mental health problems unaccompanied refugee minors URM Validated instruments Review

Index Keywords

Germany Communication Barriers refugee human communication disorder Refugees statistics and numerical data Minors Mental Disorders Humans psychology Adolescent Psychometrics psychometry minor (person) Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic personality assessment Health Services Accessibility Child public health health care delivery National Health Programs
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84959543793&partnerID=40&md5=88a6d41b9e79ab49190aecf37cbdf769
ISSN: 00327034
Cited by: 7
Original Language: German