The persistence of predictors of wellbeing among refugee youth eight years after resettlement in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

This short report assesses the predictors of subjective health and happiness among a cohort of refugee youth over their first eight years in Australia. Five waves of data collection were conducted between 2004 (n = 120) and 2012-13 (n = 51) using mixed methods. Previous schooling, self-esteem, moving house in the previous year, a supportive social environment, stronger ethnic identity and perceived discrimination were significant predictors of wellbeing after adjusting for demographic and pre-migration factors. When compared with a previous analysis of this cohort over their first three years of settlement, experiences of social exclusion still have a significant impact on wellbeing eight years after arriving in Australia. This study contributes to mounting evidence in support of policies that discourage discrimination and promote social inclusion and cultural diversity and which underpin the wellbeing of resettled refugee youth.

“At night he cries from dreams”: Perceptions of children's psychological distress and wellbeing amongst parents with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds in Australia

“…The participants who had experienced less security in housing since their arrival more frequently spoke of housing and safety as being closely interconnected. This finding is closely linked to that of Correa‐Velez et al (), who in a study of refugee youth 8 years into their resettlement process noted a significant negative impact on subjective experiences of wellbeing for those who had moved house in the prior year compared to those who had not. In the present study, visa type played an important role in perceived housing security, with participants holding permanent visas citing a higher sense of security in their housing than those on temporary visas.…”

“…Given the variation in prevalence rates noted above, it is important to note that a number of risk and protective factors have been found to influence whether or not, and to what extent, children with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds experience psychological distress or positive wellbeing outcomes following resettlement within countries such as Australia (Correa‐Velez, Gifford, & McMichael, ; Fazel et al, ; McFarlane, Kaplan, & Lawrence, ). Indeed, research has indicated that post‐settlement factors have a critical impact on child wellbeing, including through areas, such as education, social inclusion, and interaction with health services (Correa‐Velez et al, ; Due, Riggs, & Augoustinos, ).…”

“…Importantly, as with PTSD, there is a noted lack of appropriately validated tools for the assessment of depressive symptoms in children with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, especially children aged below 8 years (Bronstein & Montgomery, 2011 Similarly, Bronstein and Montgomery note that although a range of different measures are used in assessing general internalising and externalising behaviours, few have been appropriately validated for use with children with refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, and prevalence rates have been found to vary according to the country of origin (Bronstein & Montgomery, 2011). Given the variation in prevalence rates noted above, it is important to note that a number of risk and protective factors have been found to influence whether or not, and to what extent, children with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds experience psychological distress or positive wellbeing outcomes following resettlement within countries such as Australia (Correa-Velez, Gifford, & McMichael, 2015;Fazel et al, 2012;McFarlane, Kaplan, & Lawrence, 2011). Indeed, research has indicated that post-settlement factors have a critical impact on child wellbeing, including through areas, such as education, social inclusion, and interaction with health services (Correa-Velez et al, 2015;Due, Riggs, & Augoustinos, 2016).…”

“…Given the variation in prevalence rates noted above, it is important to note that a number of risk and protective factors have been found to influence whether or not, and to what extent, children with refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds experience psychological distress or positive wellbeing outcomes following resettlement within countries such as Australia (Correa-Velez, Gifford, & McMichael, 2015;Fazel et al, 2012;McFarlane, Kaplan, & Lawrence, 2011). Indeed, research has indicated that post-settlement factors have a critical impact on child wellbeing, including through areas, such as education, social inclusion, and interaction with health services (Correa-Velez et al, 2015;Due, Riggs, & Augoustinos, 2016). In congruence with the ecological model of health (Miller & Rasmussen, 2016), which places emphasis on a child's wellbeing occurring within "the context of their interactions with different layers of the environment" (Correa-Velez, Gifford, & Barnett, 2010, p. 1401, previous research has identified relevant influences occurring at individual, family, community and societal levels (Fazel et al, 2012).…”

Child refugees: the right to compassion

“…Overwhelming evidence shows that the meaner and more isolating the initial experience of reception, the poorer the physical and mental health of refugees, the weaker their sense of inclusion and wellbeing, and the lower their educational performance and chances of employment and economic productivity. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] Systematic exclusion within resettlement communities can lead to alienation and exposure to radical influences. There is a clear moral case for the UK to do better.…”