Archives of Disease in Childhood
Volume 103, Issue 3, 2018, Pages 261-268

Protective factors for social-emotional well-being of refugee children in the first three years of settlement in Australia (Article)

Zwi K.* , Woodland L. , Williams K. , Palasanthiran P. , Rungan S. , Jaffe A. , Woolfenden S.
  • a University of New South Wales, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, High Street, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
  • b South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Health Services Research and Development, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • c Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • d University of New South Wales, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, High Street, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
  • e Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • f University of New South Wales, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, High Street, Randwick, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
  • g Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Aim This longitudinal study investigated protective factors for social-emotional well-being in refugee children in Australia. Methods Newly arrived refugee children aged 4-15 years were recruited between 2009 and 2013 and assessments were conducted at two points, at years 2 and 3 postarrival. Social-emotional well-being was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Protective factors were assessed by structured interview and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS); scores <150 reflect fewer stressful life events in the previous year. Results Forty-three eligible refugee children were recruited. The SDQ was completed by parents in 90% and protective factor data in 80% at years 2 and 3 of follow-up. Protective factors for normal SDQ scores were: originating from Africa (p=0.01), father present on arrival (p=0.019) and family SRRS scores <150 at year 2 (p=0.045). The median number of protective factors was 4 (range 1-8). Better SDQ scores were associated with ≥4 protective factors (p<0.006). Furthermore, more protective factors increased the child's likelihood of a stable or improved SDQ score over time (p<0.04). Modifiable protective factors likely to promote social-emotional well-being include stability in the child's school and residence, parental employment, financial and marital stability, proximity to one's own ethnic community and external community support. Conclusions Cumulative protective factors, some of which are potentially modifiable, can predict social-emotional well-being in newly arrived refugee children. Children with four or more protective factors are at low risk of poor social-emotional well-being. © 2018 Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article). All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Protective factors longitudinal cohort social-emotional wellbeing Refugee child risk factors Strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ)

Index Keywords

Vulnerable Populations vulnerable population longitudinal study refugee Australia health survey Social Readjustment Rating Scale follow up human Longitudinal Studies Refugees protection Ethnic Groups ethnic group priority journal health status Health Surveys child protection marriage Humans psychology Adolescent family separation male female preschool child Child, Preschool Africa refugee camp Resilience, Psychological Article psychological resilience father strengths and difficulties questionnaire Protective Factors structured interview psychological well-being cohort analysis employment Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85042907034&doi=10.1136%2farchdischild-2016-312495&partnerID=40&md5=e528ae4b98c2015de07ed9f8ca95a833
DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-312495
ISSN: 00039888
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English