Trappen between disaster and uncertainty: A quantitative study of mental health of unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers in Norwegian reception centers.
Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The present Master thesis documents an exploratory survey study based on quantitative data from 37 unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers between 15 and 18 years of age in Norway. The purpose of this study was to investigate past traumatic events, present everyday hassles and mental health problems in the lives of these adolescents awaiting decision on their asylum-applications. The associations between the traumatic events, hassles and mental health problems were explored. The potential mediator effect of hassles on the link between past traumatic events and mental health problems was also investigated. Results indicated high occurrence of past traumatic events and high prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression and anxiety. Externalizing was recorded to be relatively low, consistent with similar studies of unaccompanied minors. Mediator effect of Hassles on the association between traumatic events and depression was found. The study is unique in exploring a group argued to be scarcely studied in international and Norwegian context. The study aims at broadening the focus from a predominantly trauma-focused to a more psychosocial framework in the assessment of mental health among unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers. The present study is based on a relatively small sample, hence more work with larger samples is needed to understand these processes and validate findings, as well as looking at intergroup differences. Also, longitudinal studies of this group may produce indications of causal pathways between adversities and pathology, from past to present.
Author: Kristian Andreas Lunde Slagsvold
Language: English
Topic: Migration, Health and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2211570187