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Psychological needs, service utilization and provision of care in a specialist mental health clinic for young refugees: a comparative study

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:43 authored by Daniel Michelson, Irene Sclare
This study addressed psychological needs, patterns of service utilization and provision of care in a specialist mental health service for young refugees and asylum seekers in London. Comparisons were made between two groups with different levels of postulated mental health need: unaccompanied minors (UAMs; n = 49) and children accompanied to the UK by one or more primary caregivers (n = 29). Significant differences were observed in referral pathways, with UAMs more likely to be referred by social services and less likely to be referred from medical agencies. UAMs also attended fewer sessions during treatment, and missed a greater proportion of scheduled appointments. Contrary to prediction, group comparisons revealed similar levels of post-migration stress and overall psychological morbidity. However, UAMs experienced significantly more traumatic events prior to resettlement, and were more likely to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than their accompanied peers. Despite their elevated risk of PTSD, UAMs were less likely than accompanied children to have received trauma-focused interventions. UAMs were also significantly less likely to have been treated using cognitive therapy, anxiety management and parent/carer training, as well as receiving fewer types of practical assistance with basic social needs. The clinical and service implications of these findings are discussed.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry

ISSN

1359-1045

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

2

Volume

14

Page range

273-296

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Developmental and Clinical Psychology Research Group Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-11-02

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