Derluyn Ilse, Broekaert Eric
Department of Orthopedagogics. Ghent University, H. Dunantlaan, Gent, Belgium.
Ethn Health. 2007 Apr;12(2):141-62. doi: 10.1080/13557850601002296.
This study aims, firstly, to investigate the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems in unaccompanied refugee children and adolescents living in Belgium. Secondly, this study compares the perspectives of the adolescents with those of social workers on the adolescents' emotional well-being.
A total of 166 unaccompanied refugee children and adolescents, living in different large- and small-scale centres, in foster care or alone, participated in the study. Of them, 142 completed self-report questionnaires on emotional and behavioural problems (HSCL-37A, SDQ-self and RATS) and traumatic experiences (SLE), and for 124 refugee youths, social workers filled in two questionnaires on emotional and behavioural problems (CBCL/6-18 and SDQ-parent).
Between 37 and 47% of the unaccompanied refugee youths have severe or very severe symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. Girls and those having experienced many traumatic events are at even higher risk for the development of these emotional problems. Social workers also report a high prevalence of internalising problems in this population and they also report important externalising problems in unaccompanied refugee youths.
Being unaccompanied is an important risk factor for the emotional well-being of refugee children and adolescents. Therefore, appropriate measures on reception and care should be taken in order to support these youths.
本研究旨在，首先，调查生活在比利时的无人陪伴难民儿童和青少年中情绪和行为问题的患病率。其次，本研究比较了青少年与社会工作者对青少年情绪健康状况的看法。
共有166名无人陪伴难民儿童和青少年参与了该研究，他们生活在不同的大、小型中心，处于寄养状态或独自生活。其中，142人完成了关于情绪和行为问题（HSCL - 37A、SDQ - 自我和RATS）以及创伤经历（SLE）的自我报告问卷，对于124名难民青年，社会工作者填写了两份关于情绪和行为问题的问卷（CBCL/6 - 18和SDQ - 家长）。
37%至47%的无人陪伴难民青年有严重或非常严重的焦虑、抑郁和创伤后应激症状。女孩以及经历过许多创伤事件的人出现这些情绪问题的风险更高。社会工作者也报告称，这一群体中内化问题的患病率很高，他们还报告了无人陪伴难民青年中存在的重要外化问题。
无人陪伴是难民儿童和青少年情绪健康的一个重要风险因素。因此，应采取适当的接待和护理措施来支持这些青年。
