Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: Prevalence, Contributing and Protective Factors, and Effective Interventions: A Scoping Review

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Abstract

The objective was to review the current literature regarding PTSD in unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) from 1 January 2008 through 15 January 2019. Thirty full texts were chosen that specifically studied unaccompanied refugee minors (URM). The results showed that the prevalence of PTSD among URM ranged from 17% to 85% with a mean prevalence rate of 46%. In addition to PTSD, there are other significant mental health problems that are associated with being an URM, such as anxiety and depression associated with internalizing and externalizing behaviors.There were numerous factors that contributed to PTSD, including cumulative stress and trauma, guilt, shame, and uncertainty about legal status. The most significant protective factor was the levels of resilience in both pre-migratory and peri-migratory experiences. Protective factors included resilience, a trusted mentor, belonging to a social network, religion, having an adult mentor, and having a family (even if far away). Immigrant youth can thrive most easily in multiculturally affirming countries. Five interventions demonstrated effectiveness, comprising trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT); “Mein Weg”, a TF-CBT combined with a group-processing mixed therapy approach; teaching recovery techniques (TRT), narrative exposure therapy for children (KIDNET), and expressive arts intervention (EXIT).

Citation

Relevant Evidence Summaries

The evidence was reviewed and included in the following summaries: 

What is the impact of mentoring on social-emotional and academic outcomes of youth from immigrant and refugee families?

This evidence summary, authored by Switchboard, provides an insightful overview of the current landscape of research on mentoring, both formal and informal, and its impact on the social-emotional well-being and academic success of youth from immigrant and refugee families in the United States. There is moderate to strong evidence that mentoring enhances educational aspirations. A […]

About this study

AGE: Multiple Age Groups

DIRECTION OF EVIDENCE: Positive impact

FULL TEXT AVAILABILITY: Paid

GENDER: All

HOST COUNTRY: Multiple countries

HOST COUNTRY INCOME: High

INTERVENTION DURATION: NA

INTERVENTION: NONE

OUTCOME AREA: Mental Health

POPULATION: Unaccompanied Minors

REGION OF ORIGIN OF PARTICIPANT(S): Multiple Regions

STRENGTH OF EVIDENCE: Suggestive

TYPE OF STUDY: Literature review

YEAR PUBLISHED: 2023

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