Mental Health Outcomes of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: a Rapid Review of Recent Research

Bamford, Jordan; Fletcher, Mark; Leavey, Gerard

doi:10.1007/s11920-021-01262-8

Cited by 39 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Other protective factors involved receiving social support and having contact with family members (H€ ohne et al 2020). In a review of mental health outcomes of young unaccompanied refugees, Bamford et al (2021) came to similar conclusions as they identified lack of social support, poor language skills, and experiences of discrimination and daily hassles as important predictors of outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Learning your limits: Nurses' experiences of caring for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care

Gabrielsson

Karim

Looi

2021

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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Young unaccompanied refugees come in contact with acute psychiatric care due to pre-existing mental health conditions as well as stressful and traumatic experiences before, during, and after migration. Previous research on nurses' experiences of caring for refugees has primarily reported on difficulties related to cultural differences and communication and how nurses might distrust refugees. This study aimed to describe registered nurses' experiences of caring for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care. Semi-structured interviews with ten nurses were analysed using a method for qualitative content analysis. Data were collected in Sweden during 2019 and 2020. Results describe nurses' experiences of caring for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care in one theme: learning your limits and three sub-themes: feeling powerless but doing what you can; taking a stance in a politicized environment; and being frustrated and in need of support. Findings highlight the potential and limitations of mental health nursing, the importance of reflection and peer support, and the importance of viewing the roles and responsibilities of mental health nurses and nursing in a societal context. These findings suggest that nurses can make a difference for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care. However, in doing so, nurses need support in realizing what they can and cannot achieve. The study is reported in accordance with the COREQ guidelines.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Learning your limits: Nurses' experiences of caring for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care

Gabrielsson

Karim

Looi

2021

Int J Mental Health Nurs

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“…Alto et al state that nurturing UMs’ foster family environments is central, as enduring conflicts can exacerbate adolescents’ symptoms [ 32 ]. The type of placement may also influence UM’s prognosis [ 33 ]. Living in foster care is sometimes a protective factor, possibly due to higher level of social support, safety and stability within this setting [ 34 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multimodal co-therapy for unaccompanied minors: a qualitative study

Guessoum

Minassian

Staël

et al. 2022

Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health

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Background Unaccompanied refugee minors—or unaccompanied minors—are children and adolescents who have been separated from parents and other relatives and are not being cared for by an adult. Unaccompanied minors are a vulnerable population, with numerous stressors and complex psychiatric symptoms necessitating specialized mental health care. This study explores patients’ experiences of a Multimodal Co-Therapy for Unaccompanied Minors (MUCTUM), which encompasses cultural, biological, narrative & institutional approaches to care. Methods MUCTUM is a co-therapy program for unaccompanied minors, with a psychiatrist, psychologist, native-language interpreter, and caseworker for each patient. In this qualitative study, we interviewed adolescents about their experiences with MUCTUM and analyzed these semi-structured interviews using a phenomenological framework (Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis). Results Qualitative analysis of 16 interviews discovered that unaccompanied minors felt misunderstood before participating in MUCTUM, describing a sense of strangeness and loneliness in relation to psychiatric symptoms. Several youths experienced triple stigmatization: of being unaccompanied minors, of suffering from psychotrauma, and of being mental health patients. We further describe three overarching domains that inform on MUCTUM support to unaccompanied minors: (1) A safe space for unaccompanied minors; (2) Helpful interventions during therapy; and (3) Narrating one’s story can “set us free” if guided carefully by care providers. Conclusion This study suggests that MUCTUM therapy may efficiently support unaccompanied minors’ mental health by acknowledging their hierarchy of needs. Psychotherapeutic strategies include creating a safe place, providing culturally appropriate care and patient-centered therapy, addressing concrete problems, supporting relationships, and making use of limited reparenting in therapy. Delayed and progressive inquiry about traumatic events may be beneficial. Replication of these findings and their field application is warranted.

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“…In a study by Müller et al (2019), 64% of UMs seeking asylum were found to meet the diagnostic criteria for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); when left untreated, PTSD can lead to serious behavioral problems in children (Brymer et al, 2019). Furthering these challenges for UMs are factors such as limited social support, poor language fluency, limited resources, discrimination, daily hassles, and asylum status which have been linked to more emotional problems (Bamford et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

La Linterna: Clinical model for trauma-exposed, migrant children.

Harlow

Cruz

Celada-Dalton

et al. 2024

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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Objective: Exposure to childhood adversity is increasingly recognized as an important topic in pediatric medicine and a powerful driver of adult disease burden. While significant evidence exists that early intervention is critical for children exposed to adversities, few models have been established for addressing the complex medical, psychological, and social needs of these patients in a holistic manner. Method: La Linterna is an interdisciplinary clinical initiative providing trauma-informed primary care, mental health treatment, immigration legal counsel, and comprehensive case management to children (and their families) exposed to adversities throughout the migration process. Started in 2019, the clinic serves immigrant families throughout the city of Los Angeles. Described as the process of implementing an interdisciplinary, trauma-informed practice to meet the medical, mental health, social care needs of this uniquely vulnerable patient population. Results: Strong evidence exists in the medical literature arguing for the implementation of a holistic, trauma-informed model of patient care. We describe "principles" and "lessons learned" during implementation, as well as detail an approach to improving services to immigrant families who have experienced adversities via an interactive, patient-centered process. Conclusions: Trauma-informed care is critical for meeting the needs of vulnerable children and their families. La Linterna represents an innovative and effective way to enhance care for one of the most vulnerable United States populations, immigrant and refugee families. Implementation of all or some of the program's components is possible throughout the United States and would mark an improvement over current practice. Clinical Impact StatementWith an increase in children arriving in the United States as immigrants and refugees, more providers of pediatric primary care, mental health care, and other services are likely to encounter such patients in their practice. The patient population has unique healthcare needs and vulnerabilities, including exposure to adverse childhood experiences at an incredibly high rate, and novel and effective models are needed to help promote health. This article provides insight into the implementation of one such model, and can assist interested parties in other settings to conceptualize and develop their own approach to this growing need within the community.

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Mental Health Outcomes of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors: a Rapid Review of Recent Research

Cited by 39 publications

References 51 publications

Learning your limits: Nurses' experiences of caring for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care

Learning your limits: Nurses' experiences of caring for young unaccompanied refugees in acute psychiatric care

Multimodal co-therapy for unaccompanied minors: a qualitative study

La Linterna: Clinical model for trauma-exposed, migrant children.

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