The Lost Boys of Sudan: Coping with ambiguous loss and separation from parents.

Abstract

The Lost Boys of Sudan were separated from their families by civil war and subsequently lived in three other countries-Ethiopia, Kenya, and the United States. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 refugees about their experiences of separation from parents and ambiguous loss, and the coping strategies the youth used when they did not know if other members of their family were dead or alive. All of the youth reported using both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies. The youth also discussed the importance of support from peers and elders while they lived in the refugee camps. In addition, they reflected on the psychological presence of parents who were physically absent, and the important role that hope of being reunited with parents played as they struggled with survival issues and ambiguous loss.

Refugee Resettlement and Parenting in a Different Context

“…In addition to these considerations, South Sudanese families may also be coping with past traumas (Luster, Qin, Bates, Johnson, & Rana, 2009), discrimination (Fozdar & Torezani, 2008), and unemployment (Colic-Peisker & Tilbury, 2006), and there may also be issues of intergenerational conflict (Gray & Elliott, 2001). As a result, there may be a loss of "normality" that can compound the layers of trauma for families resettling into their new home, culture, and lifestyle (Schweitzer, Melville, Steel, & Lacherez, 2006).…”

The role of social support in the acculturation and mental health of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers

“…With the exception of studies on the lost boys of Sudan (Luster, Qin, Bates, Johnson & Rana, , ), there has been little focus on the role of supportive family ties in post‐resettlement adaptation of unaccompanied minors. Family members abroad may represent a crucial source of emotional support in terms of perception of belonging and being valued and loved (Cohen, ; Luster et al ., , ).…”

In limbo: A systematic review of psychological responses and coping among people with a missing loved one

“…Anger tended to be directed at the larger society, government, or military for not having taken enough action or for assuming that the person is dead (Munczek & Tuber, ; Campbell & Demi, ; Kajtazi‐Testa & Hewer, ). Other reactions included feelings of loneliness stemming from lack of emotional or practical support (Luster et al, , ; McCubbin et al, 1975) and intrusive thoughts of distressing outcomes (e.g., thoughts of the day their loved one is confirmed dead; Campbell & Demi, ). Unique to the studies belonging to the subcategory of “abduction” and “forced separation” were feelings of frustration, which tended to stem from the lack of information (Luster et al, , ; McCubbin et al, ), distrust of others in the community and family (Hollander, ; Munczek & Tuber, ), and feelings of self‐blame (Berthoud & Bickel‐Nikles, ).…”