2013-2014 Judge Baker Children's Center Child Mental Health Forum

Social Networks, Competence and Mental Health among Unaccompanied Minors who are Seeking Asylum in Norway
Brit Oppedal, PhD, Principal Investigator, “Youth, Culture and Competence Study” / Senior Scientist, Department of Child Development, Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Note: This presentation replaces the talk by Dr. Dennis Wall, which will be rescheduled for the fall.

The radical increase in the involvement of civil populations in war affairs over the last century has contributed to a record high number of children and youth travelling unaccompanied by their legal caretakers to seek asylum in Western countries. The extant research has documented a higher level of traumatic experiences and mental health problems among unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers compared to other immigrant and refugee children. The adversities resulting from pre-migration losses and traumas may be reinforced by the challenges associated with resettling in an unfamiliar culture without the guidance of close adults. In spite of this, observers have noted strong agency and adaptive functioning among many of these children. This presentation aims to advance understanding of the complexities of the acculturation process and psychological adjustment among these vulnerable children, after they have been granted residence in their destination countries. The focus is on the combined effects of pre-migration trauma and current risk and protective factors with a particular focus on the psychosocial resources they develop that may ameliorate their mental health problems. Target Audience: Physicians (psychiatrists, pediatricians, child neurologists), psychologists, social workers, other mental health clinicians and researchers, and students and trainees. Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to (1) recognize how the transnational realities of unaccompanied minors who are seeking asylum impact on their mental health; (2) recognize both challenges and resources associated with the acculturation process.