Mental health in Middle Eastern refugees resettled in the Western countries

Study 1 (A Narrative Systematic Review) Abstract - Objectives: In recent years, a high number of Middle Eastern refugees have resettled in high-income countries. Those families have experienced significant traumatic experiences that impact on the functioning and well-being of whole families. This systematic review examines if family/parental functioning influences child and youth psychosocial outcomes within refugee families from the Middle East who have resettled in high-income countries. Method: PRISMA guidelines were followed for the identification and selection of articles resulting in the inclusion of 19 articles based on 10 separate samples. Due to the heterogeneity of articles, a narrative methodology was applied for the analysis of included studies. Findings: A consistent association between parental trauma/PTSD and child PTSD and mental health was found. A gendered element to the experience of distress in refugee families was indicated with maternal factors in particular being associated with child outcomes. Parental mental health and family factors were identified as risk and protective factors. Child outcomes are impacted by various complex pathways of parental and family factors occurred during pre-settlement and in the resettlement environment. Further, children’s resettlement context, such as peer relationships are suggested to facilitate positive outcomes. Conclusion: While based on a small sample of studies, results support the thorough assessment of whole families. Further research using more consistent measures across studies is required to further promote the understanding of processes involved in the interaction between parental/family factors and child outcomes in Middle Eastern refugee families resettled in high-income countries.

Grantor dc:publisher

University College Cork

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Weihrauch, Mareike

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Veale, Angela
• Hayes, Jennifer

• Middle Eastern refugees
• Refugee
• Anxiety
• Depression
• PTSD
• Resilience
• Ireland
• Middle East
• Refugee families
• Refugee child outcomes
• Mental health

Statement dc:rights

• © 2019, Mareike Weihrauch.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10468/8724

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cora.ucc.ie:10468/8724