Residential Treatment for Children and Youth
Volume 36, Issue 2, 2019, Pages 118-136

‘There is No Mother to Take Care of You’. Views of Unaccompanied Children on Healthcare, Their Mental Health and Rearing Environment (Article) (Open Access)

Zijlstra A.E.* , Menninga M.C. , Van Os E.C.C. , Rip J.A. , Knorth E.J. , Kalverboer M.E.
  • a Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • b Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • c Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • d Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • e Department of Special Needs Education and Youth Care, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands
  • f Study Centre for Children, Migration and Law, Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Netherlands

Abstract

This study aimed to shed light on the opinions of unaccompanied refugee children (N = 98) in various care facilities in the Netherlands (small living groups, small living units, foster families, large reception centres) about their mental health, their healthcare needs and their rearing environment. A mixed methods design was applied. The quality of the child-rearing environment and the age on arrival in the host country proved to be predictive of mental health outcomes. Unaccompanied children living in large reception centres experienced the lowest quality of rearing environment, the highest mental health problems and poor access to mental healthcare. Implications for practice and research are reflected upon. © 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

Mental health healthcare care facility rearing environment Unaccompanied children

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85059076971&doi=10.1080%2f0886571X.2018.1559118&partnerID=40&md5=d946f4dd1332034e9760ef3f06e10fa3
DOI: 10.1080/0886571X.2018.1559118
ISSN: 0886571X
Original Language: English