We assessed the effects of a stringent reception policy on the mental health of unaccompanied adolescent asylum seekers by comparing the mental health of adolescents in a restricted campus reception setting and in a setting offering more autonomy (numbers [response rates]: 69 [93%] and 53 [69%], respectively; mean age, 16 years). Unaccompanied adolescent asylum seekers in a restricted reception setting reported more emotional problems on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist than their counterparts in the more autonomy group (mean scores [SD]: restricted, 59.3 [13.1]; other, 53.4 [10.5]; p = 0.033, F test). Main effects concerned a rise in anxiety. Girls showed larger differences than boys. A restrictive reception may therefore affect the mental health of minor asylum seekers. Health care workers and policy makers should be aware of this adverse effect. Copyright © 2005 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Adolescent Mental health PTSS Anxiety Refugee

anxiety Netherlands refugee health care personnel mental health human social isolation Refugees immigration sex difference controlled study unaccompanied adolescent seeking asylum ender nail policy Affective Symptoms Mental Disorders Humans Adolescent male female Personality Inventory questionnaire symptom school emotional disorder scoring system Article Adolescent Behavior Questionnaires personal autonomy major clinical study adult age posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic public policy Hopkins Symptom Checklist