Development and validation of a questionnaire to assess Unaccompanied Migrant Minors’ needs (AEGIS-Q)

Abstract

Background While many studies focus on specific aspects of Unaccompanied Migrant Minors’ (UMMs) health, especially mental well-being, there is a lack of tools comprehensively assessing their needs. To fill this gap, we developed and validated a questionnaire to thoroughly assess unAccompaniEd miGrant mInorS’ physical, psychological, legal, spiritual, social and educational needs (AEGIS-Q). Methods This work consisted of three stages. The first one involved an extensive literature review. Given the results of the review, a first draft of the questionnaire was developed and submitted to a panel of experts for validation (Delphi method-second stage). During the third stage, the final version of the questionnaire was pilot-tested in a sample of 18 UMMs. Results The questionnaire, drafted based on the results of the review, consisted of sections covering personal data, migration profile, physical health needs and access to healthcare, psychological needs, legal needs, spiritual needs and educational and social needs of UMMs. After two Delphi rounds, the final version of the questionnaire, consisting of 83 questions, was structured. The pilot study had a response rate of 89–100%. We found substantial reliability for most of the sections in the questionnaire, including physical health (α=0.652), legal (α=0.781), and educational and social (α=0.614) needs. The questions regarding psychological needs had very high reliability (α=0.860). Conclusions The questionnaire offers a useful sharable tool to assess and monitor UMMs’ needs, helping the reception system to better know and meet their needs and implement the taking in charge.

Mental Health Screening Approaches for Resettling Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Scoping Review

“…Eleven studies were identified that investigated mental health screening approaches specific to refugee children and adolescents [ 52 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 62 , 67 , 82 , 89 , 97 , 100 ]. Children and adolescents between the ages of 6 months to 18 years old were included and all identified screening programs were completed post-arrival to the resettlement country.…”

“…A total of 25 studies evaluated the validity of mental health screening tools among a cumulative sample of N = 4341 refugees and asylum seekers [ 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 55 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 70 , 72 , 80 , 82 , 86 , 87 , 89 , 95 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 105 , 106 ]. All of the included studies followed a cross-sectional study design.…”

“…Screening targeted refugees and asylum seekers regardless of their age in nineteen studies [ 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 55 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 70 , 72 , 80 , 86 , 87 , 95 , 99 , 101 , 105 , 106 ], whereas it targeted adolescents and children (also referred to as minors) in five [ 52 , 67 , 82 , 89 , 100 ]. Studies seldom screened for just one mental health condition and most commonly screened for multiple; trauma-spectrum disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), as well as traumatic events and experiences, were the most commonly screened conditions across studies (n = 21/25), followed by major depression (n = 12/25), anxiety (n = 8/25), somatization (n = 1/25), general psychological needs (n = 1/25), and environment safety (n = 1/25).…”