RESUMO
Background: Unaccompanied young refugees (UYRs) show elevated levels of mental distress such as post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety. The individual post-arrival situation in the host country plays an important role in increasing or reducing mental health risks for these vulnerable children and youth. The study aims at examining the impact of pre- and post-migration factors on the mental health of UYRs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of N = 131 young refugees (81.7% male, M = 16.9 years old) was conducted in 22 children and youth welfare service (CYWS) facilities in Germany. The participants provided information about pre- and post-flight experiences. Standardized measures were used to assess post-traumatic stress symptoms (CATS-2), symptoms of depression (PHQ-9), and anxiety (GAD-7). Daily stressors were assessed with the Daily Stressors Scale for Young Refugees (DSSYR), sociocultural adaptation with the Brief Sociocultural Adaptation Scale (BSAS), satisfaction with social support with the Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ6-G). Results: Our results demonstrated clinical levels of PTSS in 42.0% of the participants, depression in 29.0%, and anxiety in 21.4%. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that a higher number of traumatic events and social daily stressors predicted higher levels in all three domains of mental health problems. PTSS and anxiety were also predicted by the distress related to the residence status, depressive symptoms were additionally predicted by sociocultural adaptation, less family contact and length of stay. The satisfaction with social support was not a significant predictor in the regression models. Conclusion: Unaccompanied young refugees in CYWS facilities are a highly vulnerable population. As traumatic events, daily stressors and level of contact to family directly impacted UYRs mental health, interventions should be trauma-focused, but also contain modules on how to cope with daily stressors. On the policy and practical level, stakeholders in host countries are called for establishing measures to reduce post-migration stressors and enhance support for UYRs on all levels.
RESUMO
Background: Different acculturation strategies might be related to different mental health outcomes and social participation of unaccompanied refugee minors (URMs), but little is known about which factors influence this acculturation process. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to examine the impact of individual, stress-related, and contextual factors on the acculturation process of URMs in Germany. Methods: A sample of N = 132 URMs living in child and youth welfare service facilities in Germany completed questionnaires about their acculturation orientation, traumatic experiences, daily stressors, asylum stress, and perceived social support between June 2020 and October 2021. This investigation is part of the multi-center randomized control trial BETTER CARE. Data were analyzed descriptively and via multiple hierarchical regression. Results: Integration (43.5%) and Assimilation (37.1%) were the most common acculturation strategies used by URMs. Multiple hierarchical regression models showed that daily stressors (e.g., the lack of money) were associated with a stronger orientation toward the home country, whereas traumatic events were associated with a weaker orientation toward their home country. No significant predictors were found for the orientation toward the host country. Discussion: Overall, URMs in Germany showed favorable acculturation strategies. Nevertheless, daily stressors and traumatic experiences might influence this process. The implications for practitioners and policymakers are discussed with a view to further improving the acculturation process of URMs in Germany.Clinical Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00017453 https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00017453. Registered on December 11, 2019.