BMC Medicine
Volume 16, Issue 1, 2018

Adjustment of refugee children and adolescents in Australia: Outcomes from wave three of the Building a New Life in Australia study (Article) (Open Access)

Lau W.* , Silove D. , Edwards B. , Forbes D. , Bryant R. , McFarlane A. , Hadzi-Pavlovic D. , Steel Z. , Nickerson A. , Van Hooff M. , Felmingham K. , Cowlishaw S. , Alkemade N. , Kartal D. , O'Donnell M.
  • a Phoenix Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • b Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia, University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • c Australian National University, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian Capital Territory, ACT, Australia
  • d Phoenix Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • e University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • f University of Adelaide, Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • g University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • h University of New South Wales, School of Psychiatry, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Black Dog Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia, St John of God Hospital Richmond, Sydney, Australia
  • i University of New South Wales, School of Psychology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • j University of Adelaide, Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • k University of Melbourne, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • l Phoenix Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, University of Bristol, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, Bristol, United Kingdom
  • m Monash Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • n Phoenix Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • o Phoenix Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, University of Melbourne, Department of Psychiatry, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Abstract

Background: High-income countries like Australia play a vital role in resettling refugees from around the world, half of whom are children and adolescents. Informed by an ecological framework, this study examined the post-migration adjustment of refugee children and adolescents 2-3 years after arrival to Australia. We aimed to estimate the overall rate of adjustment among young refugees and explore associations with adjustment and factors across individual, family, school, and community domains, using a large and broadly representative sample. Methods: Data were drawn from Wave 3 of the Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA) study, a nationally representative, longitudinal study of settlement among humanitarian migrants in Australia. Caregivers of refugee children aged 5-17 (N = 694 children and adolescents) were interviewed about their children's physical health and activity, school absenteeism and achievement, family structure and parenting style, and community and neighbourhood environment. Parent and child forms of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were completed by caregivers and older children to assess social and emotional adjustment. Results: Sound adjustment according to the SDQ was observed regularly among young refugees, with 76-94% (across gender and age) falling within normative ranges. Comparison with community data for young people showed that young refugees had comparable or higher adjustment levels than generally seen in the community. However, young refugees as a group did report greater peer difficulties. Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses showed that better reported physical health and school achievement were associated with higher adjustment. Furthermore, higher school absenteeism and endorsement of a hostile parenting style were associated with lower adjustment. Conclusions: This is the first study to report on child psychosocial outcomes from the large, representative longitudinal BNLA study. Our findings indicate sound adjustment for the majority of young refugees resettled in Australia. Further research should examine the nature of associations between variables identified in this study. Overall, treating mental health problems early remains a priority in resettlement. Initiatives to enhance parental capability, physical health, school achievement and participation could assist to improve settlement outcomes for young refugees. © 2018 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Adjustment resettlement Psychosocial Children Ecological Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire Mental health Adolescents Refugee

Index Keywords

physical activity longitudinal study refugee Australia mental health human Longitudinal Studies Refugees sex difference controlled study health status school attendance academic achievement Humans psychology Adolescent male female preschool child Child, Preschool family counseling Article social adaptation psychological adjustment strengths and difficulties questionnaire migration outcome assessment cohort analysis age distribution Transients and Migrants community sample community structure population migration caregiver child parent relation Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85052682421&doi=10.1186%2fs12916-018-1124-5&partnerID=40&md5=904635613712e4724197a5d144912f8b
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1124-5
ISSN: 17417015
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English