The Relationship Between Psychological Well-Being and Adjustment of Both Parents and Children of Exiled and Traumatized Iraqi Refugees

Abstract

Research involving both children's problems and those of their parents who experienced displacement, war, civil strife, and multiple traumas or distress while living in unfamiliar environments (dissimilar host culture) is extremely limited. This study has examined the relationship between psychological well-being and adjustment (in the host culture) of samples of both parents and children of exiled and traumatized Iraqi refugees in London. Participants included in this study were Arab and Kurdish Iraqi refugees; 61 families (mainly adult participants) with a total number of 162 children. The sample consisted of both parents and children who were, at the time of conducting this research (2003–2004), residing in various boroughs of London. The 30-item version of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and a short and modified version of the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) questionnaire were used. Both of these measures have been translated and used in different cultures with success. Parents were asked to comp...