An overview of the mental and physical health status and post-migration psychosocial stressors of refugee toddlers and preschoolers

Abstract

Purpose: Although thousands of refugee children are being born in resettlement areas, few studies have described the mental and physical status in early childhood. We aimed to study the mental, physical status, and post-migration psychosocial stressors of refugee toddlers and preschoolers. Design and Methods: The Diagnostic Classification of Mental Health and Developmental Disorders of Infancy and Early Childhood was used to assess psychiatric disorders, parent-child relational context, physical health conditions, psychosocial and environmental stressors, and developmental competencies of children who were evaluated at the clinic site. This study was a retrospective examination of these health records. Seventy participants were divided into two groups: children born during resettlement in Turkey and children born in Syria. The Syria group consisted of 33 participants aged 66.73 +/- 13.05 months. The Turkey group consisted of 37 participants aged 38.78 +/- 16.82 months. Findings: In both groups, children suffered from a wide range of mental and physical disorders and a variety of psychosocial stressors. Monthly income and resettlement time in the Turkey group were more statistically significant (chi(2) = 10.611, p = 0.014; chi(2) = 5.976, p = 0.050). Also in the Turkey group, parents and siblings had significantly more mental health problems (chi(2) = 4.39, p = 0.04; chi(2) = 5.38, p = 0.02). Practice Implications: Child and adolescent mental health workers need to be aware of the specific needs of this particular age group of refugees. Social, economic, and policy efforts are needed to improve the living conditions of refugee children.