Ecologies of Resilience for Australian High School Students from Refugee Backgrounds: Quantitative Study.

Emily Miller,Tahereh Ziaian,Melanie Baak,Helena De Anstiss

doi:10.3390/ijerph19020748

Emily Miller, Tahereh Ziaian + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020748

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Abstract

Forced displacement of refugees, currently at record levels, leads to increased cultural diversity in many countries with benefits and challenges for individuals, communities, and societies. Refugees often face significant stressors both pre- and post-migration, and hence are at increased risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. Children and adolescents make up a significant proportion of refugees globally, and hence mental health supports for these young people are crucial. Current mental health research often uses pathologized approaches that focus on trauma, although there is growing literature highlighting the importance of a sense of belonging and the reduction in discrimination and social exclusion, emphasizing strengths and agency of individuals and communities. Resilience is often noted for its positive influence on mental health and wellbeing; however, research regarding how mechanisms of resilience function is still developing. This study investigated mental health and wellbeing of refugee-background Australian youth to better understand the role and function of resilience. Findings suggest that intersecting social ecologies, such as those within family, school, or community networks, contribute to development of identity and a sense of belonging for youth, which together form a resilient system that provides resources for wellbeing. Adaptations of school policy and practice can support positive mental health and wellbeing outcomes by contributing to and developing resilient environments, such as through building connections to family, improving positive recognition of cultural identity for individuals and across the whole school community, and actively working to minimize discrimination.

Highlights

IntroductionEither temporary, permanent, voluntary or forced, contributes to growing cultural diversity in many societies
Accepted: 4 January 2022Global migration, either temporary, permanent, voluntary or forced, contributes to growing cultural diversity in many societies
Australia provides a setting within which youth resettlement can be investigated, to both understand the needs of refugee background youth and to provide evidence that contributes to the development of specific

Summary

Introduction

Either temporary, permanent, voluntary or forced, contributes to growing cultural diversity in many societies. Involuntary migration, or forcible displacement, is currently at record levels [1], with potential for continued growth as a result of people’s exposure to violence, economic challenges, or climate change [2]. The educational, developmental, and mental health needs of refugee children and youth are a crucial issue for research. The Australian Government offers refugee resettlement opportunities to an annual quota of refugees [4], adding to the cultural diversity of an already multicultural country in which nearly half the population were either born overseas or have one parent who was born overseas [5]. Australia provides a setting within which youth resettlement can be investigated, to both understand the needs of refugee background youth and to provide evidence that contributes to the development of specific

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