Journal of International Migration and Integration
Volume 19, Issue 4, 2018, Pages 1095-1117

Individual, Pre-Migration, and Post-Settlement Factors in Predicting Academic Success of Adolescents from Refugee Backgrounds: a 12-Month Follow-Up (Article)

Wong C.W.S.* , Schweitzer R.D. , Khawaja N.G.
  • a Faculty of Health, School – Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, O Block Wing B, Level 5 B512, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
  • b Faculty of Health, School – Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, O Block Wing B, Level 5 B512, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
  • c Faculty of Health, School – Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, O Block Wing B, Level 5 B512, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia

Abstract

The current study investigated the role of individual, pre-migration, and post-settlement factors in predicting academic success of 62 adolescents from refugee backgrounds with self-reported ages of 11 to 18 years at a 12-month follow-up. Academic success was defined in terms of school retention and academic achievement. School retention was predicted by pre-migration academic English proficiency, whilst engagement in vocational training was predicted by age and pre-migration trauma. Academic scores on elective subjects were predicted by gender and pre-migration trauma. Learning support required was predicted by psychological distress. The findings have important implications for schools and policy-makers in providing resources to facilitate the academic success of adolescents from refugee backgrounds in Australia. © 2018, Springer Nature B.V.

Author Keywords

academic achievement Academic success School retention refugee adolescents Longitudinal study

Index Keywords

prediction refugee adolescence Australia longitudinal gradient academic performance
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85048868257&doi=10.1007%2fs12134-018-0589-6&partnerID=40&md5=b3fea962e0d6016982dd71fa917bd757
DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0589-6
ISSN: 14883473
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English