Title:
Mental Health and Psychosocial Well-Being of Refugee Children: An Exploration of Risk, Resilience and Protective Factors in the Post-Migration Context of Germany
Authors:
De Rosa, Teresa
Place:
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute [etc.]
Year:
2022
PAGE:
ix, 53
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
refugee, children, mental health, Germany, ECEC
Abstract:
Since 2015, Germany hosts an unprecedented number of refugees. Refugees are exposed to risk factors that disproportionally increase the rate of mental health problems compared to the host countries’ population. Around 40% of the refugees are children. The costs of not meeting the mental health needs of refugee children are high. This thesis aims to identify and explore factors that influence mental health and the psychosocial well-being of refugee children in Germany; to analyse how these are interconnected; and to point out areas that need more research. A literature review was performed and a modified version of Bronfenbrenner’s person-process-context-time model was used to analyse data relevant to the German context. A range of risk and protective factors affecting the child’s mental health and psychosocial well-being were identified on four levels (individual/child, family, community and institution & policy). The main results were: access to good quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is not only important for the refugee child’s well-being but also of utmost importance for the integration of the whole family. Furthermore, parents play a crucial role in mental health and well-being of their children. Research into the life course of refugee children’s mental health is urgently needed. To meet the outlined challenges in addressing the complex needs of refugee children, Germany needs to adopt a more public health approach. This should include appropriate screening programmes for mental health issues on a larger scale. Furthermore, Germany needs to train mental healthcare professionals, including ECEC teachers and social workers.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute , VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Training:
Master of International Health
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2022 De Rosa
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
1eggGwmVx5_20230509153910477.pdf