Culturally Responsive Psychiatric Services for Refugee and Immigrant Adolescents: Are Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Prepared to Serve Refugee Children? A Focus on African Refugee Families.

Balkozar Adam,Alicia Barnes,Rhonda Belue,Camille Luckett,Sunita Manu

doi:10.1089/heq.2020.0117

Balkozar Adam, Alicia Barnes + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2020.0117

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Journal: Health equity	Publication Date: May 1, 2021
Citations: 1	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: University of Missouri, Saint Louis University

Abstract

The arrival of sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees (AIRs) to the United States has been steadily increasing for the past several decades. Not only are AIR adolescents directly affected by previous migration processes, but they are also impacted by stress and the mental health of their parents, even if they were born in the United States to immigrant/refugee parents. Immigrant and refugee parents concerned with their child's behavior and emotions should be evaluated by a qualified mental health professional, including licensed counselors, psychologists, and child and adolescent psychiatrists. However, access to culturally responsive psychiatric care for youth is limited. African adolescents are additionally burdened by their own acculturation process, balancing multiple cultural expectations as well as feelings of social isolation resulting from perceived racism and discrimination.

Highlights

The arrival of sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees (AIRs) to the United States has been steadily increasing for the past several decades
Are AIR adolescents directly affected by previous migration processes, but they are impacted by stress and the mental health of their parents, even if they were born in the United States to immigrant/refugee parents
African adolescents are burdened by their own acculturation process, balancing multiple cultural expectations as well as feelings of social isolation resulting from perceived racism and discrimination

Summary

Introduction

The arrival of sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees (AIRs) to the United States has been steadily increasing for the past several decades. Are AIR adolescents directly affected by previous migration processes, but they are impacted by stress and the mental health of their parents, even if they were born in the United States to immigrant/refugee parents.

Results

Conclusion