Work

“As you know, parents' love differs from others.” Understanding needs and strengths shaping mental health among unaccompanied Afghan minors in resettlement in the U.S.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Globally, unaccompanied minors face more significant risks for poorer mental health and other psychosocial issues while also grappling with mental health, language, and acculturation challenges. The United States admitted 1,550 unaccompanied Afghan minors (UAMs) as humanitarian parolees among some 76,000 Afghans evacuated following the US withdrawal and Taliban takeover in 2021. Most UAMs had lived all their lives in Afghanistan's protracted conflict. Now resettled in the U.S., it is critical to understand their experiences to inform services, prevent common mental health problems, and strengthen pathways for their development. This study examined the recently arrived UAMs' needs and challenges in resettlement. The study gathered data from free listing interviews and focus groups with UAMs and their caregivers (n=29). Guided by a transactional ecological model, thematic content analysis was used to identify and categorize problem clusters and common themes outlined by UAMs and caregivers. UAMs were primarily concerned about being separated from their families and expressed sadness, longing, and grief. Other problems include language barriers and mental health symptoms that affect functioning across their ecological levels of development. Caregivers emphasized challenges related to adjusting to the American cultural context. Findings support the pressing need to design and provide culturally relevant services to reduce mental health problems, strengthen family relationships, and engender positive future outcomes. The results have implications for the provision of equitable mental health services for resettled Afghan youth. • Highlights from Needs and Strengths Shaping Mental Health among UAM resettled in the US • About 1,550 unaccompanied minors (UMs) were among Afghans paroled in the US in 2021 • The unaccompanied Afghan minors (UAMs) had lived in the context of armed conflict all their lives • Unlike UMs arriving independently at the southern borders, UAMs were paroled by the government • Unlike other UMs exposed to criminal networks or injuries, UAMs report conflict-related trauma • UAM needs include mental health, family reunification, language, education, and resources

Source: SSM - Mental Health

DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100550