Migration and flight often involve a change of culture and psychological traumatisation, but do not necessarily lead to psychological problems in children and their families. However, depending on additional psychic and social stressors, they are more vulnerable. When they seek counselling or treatment, cultural adjustment and trauma are usually the subject. Children born in the country of origin or growing up in the host country in the following generations are confronted with ambivalent feelings regarding their own past and that of their parents, and must deal with both their own and their parents hopes and expectations for the future. Depending on individual resources and coping strategies, they may develop psychological problems. Counselling services, psychotherapeutic institutions and schools are seldom sufficiently prepared or equipped for dealing with these children and families concerns. This article describes the challenges they face. © Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co. KG, Göttingen 2009.

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