Well-being Of Refugee Children Research Articles

The Mental Well-Being and Inclusion of Refugee Children: Considerations for Culturally Responsive Trauma-Informed Therapy for School Psychologists

Refugee children displaced by war suffer incredible amounts of physical and psychological trauma during and post-displacement. War is not partial to children, and they are subjected to as much extreme violence as adults. This paper explores the mental health of refugee children following war and was guided by the research question: What are the mental health experiences of refugee children displaced by war situations? A secondary data analysis was conducted on publicly available documentary short films and instructional videos on psychological therapy with refugee children and families. The data were analysed through Qualitative Conventional Content Analysis (QCCA). Three major categories emerged regarding the well-being of refugee children: (1) children are not spared from war trauma, (2) children live in perpetual fear and anxiety, and (3) war-related violence ignites aggressive behaviours in children. To increase positive mental health outcomes, school psychologists need to implement trauma-informed therapy that focuses on decreasing psychosocial reactions to war. Culturally responsive therapy is recommended as it places indigenous ways of being at the centre of the healing process.

Through the Lens of the UNCRC: Analyzing the Mental Health and Well-being of Refugee Children and Youth in Canada

To provide refugee children and youth with opportunities to build a prosperous future in Canada, there must be adequate mental health supports made available to this vulnerable population. This paper will demonstrate how Canada has aspired to uphold the mental health rights of refugee children in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) as well as the heightened commitment that is required to evoke an improved realization of these rights. This will become evident through analyzing the state of mental health rights of refugee children by examining them through the UNCRC’s four guiding principles framework.

Health and Well-Being of Refugee Children and Adolescents

Health and Well-Being of Refugee Children and Adolescents

Tales of resilience and adaption: a case-study exploring the lived-experiences and perceptions of Syrian refugee teachers in Lebanon

Education plays a key role in safeguarding the well-being of refugee children but providing high-quality educational experiences to the approximately 500,000 Syrian school aged children living in Lebanon is an unprecedented challenge. This exploratory case-study utilizes phenomenological interviews to explore the lived-experiences and perceptions of two Syrian refugees, working as teachers of Syrian refugee children in a Non-Formal Education (NFE) program in Lebanon. Both our research participants developed perceptions of NFE, in line with current emergency education best practices, based upon in-service training and lived experience only. We conclude that in-service training combined with an appreciation of refugee lived experience can provide a powerful model for creating effective emergency education programs. We propose that Lebanon take steps to capacity build existing NFE programs, by providing a pathway to accreditation, to help incentivize educational improvements, while maintaining the unique benefits of these programs.

The Role of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Protecting Refugee Children

Malaysia is a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This paper will explore whether the provisions in the CRC is sufficient in protecting the interest of refugee children in Malaysia due to the fact that Malaysia is not a party to The United Nations Convention on the Status Relating to Refugees 1951. The paper adopts doctrinal analysis as to who are refugees, the current issue surrounding refugees and to identify the problems due to the non - ratification of Malaysia to the 1951 Refugee Convention and to suggest any solutions to resolve the issue in hands. The paper concludes that despite that Malaysia is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention, CRC is suffice to protect refugee children in Malaysia as Malaysia already incorporated the articles of CRC in the Child’s Act 2001. As there were no reservation on Article 22 of the CRC which touches on the protection accorded to refugee children, it is the contention of the writer that the government are being put in an obligatory position to provides what are necessary to refugee children be it in the form of education, health or the well-being of refugee children that is tantamount to their best interest as a child.

Methods for a longitudinal cohort of refugee children in a regional community in Australia.

PurposeFew studies explore the long-term health and well-being of refugee children. A longitudinal cohort of refugee children was created to determine health and well-being outcomes over time. This article describes the methodology used to conduct this study, including sample characteristics and effectiveness of recruitment and retention strategies.ParticipantsNewly arrived refugee children settling in a regional part of Australia aged 6 months to 15 years were recruited between 2009 and 2013 and 85% were followed for an average of 31 months.Method and designGeneral practitioners conducted health and pathology examinations shortly after arrival. Additional follow-up assessments were conducted by the research team at an average of 13 months after arrival for the first (year 2) and 31 months for the second (year 3) assessment. Children under 5 years had developmental and children aged 4–17 years had social–emotional screening. Families were assessed for risk and protective factors using a structured interview and the Social Readjustment Ratings Scale. Parent experience of the research was explored.Findings to dateEligibility criteria were met by 158 of 228 (69%) newly arrived children, 61 of whom (39%) were enrolled. Retention was 100% (n=61) at year 2 and 85% at year 3. The study sample was younger than and had an over-representation of African refugees as compared to the eligible population. Parents reported that the research was respectful.Future plansThis study demonstrates that a longitudinal cohort study in refugee children is feasible and acceptable, and retention rates can be high. The establishment of this cohort provides the opportunity to analyse valuable data about the early settlement experience, risk and protective factors and long-term health and well-being outcomes in refugee children. These are necessary to identify refugee children in need of additional support and to guide future service delivery.

11: The Mental Health and Wellbeing of Refugee Children in Detention in Canada: A Pilot Study

In Canada asylum seekers may be detained in prison-like institutions. This includes children. The official statistics of the CBSA suggest that between 2005 and 2010, >650 children were detained each year. While international studies acknowledge the negative health consequences of detention on children, until now there has been no research on the detention of children in Canada. This study aimed to generate an understanding of the well-being, health and experiences of migrant children who have been detained in Canada by documenting their perspectives during or after detention. This was a qualitative study anchored in an ethnographic methodology. Data was collected using two methods: 1) in-depth interviews with 18 families, who had been detained or were detained at the time of interview; and 2) participatory observation in the field (at the detention centres in Montreal and Toronto). Detention impacts on children mental health, wellbeing and sense of identity was documented. Results suggest that even very brief periods of detention are distressing for children, with potentially longstanding sequelae. During detention, children are often separated from one or both parents, which appears to compound suffering. Children's narratives show that detention may negatively impact their sense of self and safety in Canada. Children experience detention as highly stressful, frightening and even, in some cases, traumatizing. Our findings suggest that detention may be significant determinant of health for this subgroup of children and that future policy and advocacy efforts should address this.

The Psychological Well-Being of Refugee Children: Research, Practice and Policy Issues. Edited by Margaret McCallin. Geneva: International Catholic Child Bureau, 1992. 352 pp. nps. No ISBN. Copying allowed subject to conditions

The Psychological Well-Being of Refugee Children: Research, Practice and Policy Issues. Edited by Margaret McCallin. Geneva: International Catholic Child Bureau, 1992. 352 pp. nps. No ISBN. Copying allowed subject to conditions