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Summary PDF: What works to improve mental health of refugee children and adults?

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   Health, Mental Health and Wellness
  • Subtopic(s)
   Behavioral Health Care
  • Population(s)

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What works to improve mental health of refugee children and adults?

There is very strong evidence that numerous interventions are effective in improving the mental health of child and adult refugees. Specifically, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma-focused interventions (TF), and psycho-education (PE) have been shown to improve symptoms related to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and/or general distress in refugee populations. Furthermore, cultural adaptations of these interventions yield additional effectiveness over and above their non-adapted counterparts. School-based and group programs for refugee children and high-support living environments for unaccompanied minors have been shown to improve children’s mental health. A number of additional interventions for refugee adults and children have inconclusive effects or moderate support. Finally, digital technologies including telehealth, online interventions, and video games show promising results for increasing access to care as well as improving outcomes.

Post TitleStrength of EvidenceType of StudyDirection of Evidence
Family Empowerment (FAME): A feasibility trial of preventive multifamily groups for asylum seeker families in the NetherlandsPositive impactSuggestive evidencePositive impact
Family interventions in traumatized immigrants and refugees: A systematic reviewPositive impactSystematic reviewPositive impact
Feasibility of implementation of a parenting intervention with Karen refugees resettled from Burma.Positive impactSuggestive evidencePositive impact
The utility of the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) for refugee background parentsPositive impactSuggestive evidencePositive impact
Family-based mental health promotion for Somali Bantu and Bhutanese refugees: Feasibility and acceptability trialPositive impactImpact evaluationPositive impact
We left one war and came to another: Resource loss, acculturative stress, and caregiver-child relationships in Somali refugee familiesNo evidence about impactSuggestive evidenceNo evidence about impact
Understanding the role of acculturative stress on refugee youth mental health: A systematic review and ecological approach to assessment and interventionNo evidence about impactSystematic reviewNo evidence about impact
Family efficacy as a protective factor against immigrant adolescent risky behavior: A literature reviewNo evidence about impactSuggestive evidenceNo evidence about impact
A review of the use of trauma systems therapy to treat refugee children, adolescents, and familiesNo evidence about impactSuggestive evidenceNo evidence about impact
Refugees, asylum-seekers and undocumented migrants and the experience of parenthood: A synthesis of the qualitative literatureNo evidence about impactSystematic reviewNo evidence about impact
Brief Family Therapy for Refugee ChildrenSuggestiveSuggestive evidencePositive impact

Websites and Databases Population Terms Methodology Terms Target Outcome Terms
EBSCO Host

SAGE Journals

Google Scholar

 

 refugee

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immigrant

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“unaccompanied minor”

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asylee

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“temporary protected status”

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“victims of traffick*”

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“traffick* victims”

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T-Visa

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U-Visa

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Cuban

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Haitian

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Amerasian

 

 evaluation

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impact

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program

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intervention

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policy

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project

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train*

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therapy

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treatment

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counseling

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workshop

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review

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meta-analysis

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synthesis

 “family therapy”

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“family counseling”

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“family dynamics”

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“family relationship”

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“family roles”

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“marriage counseling”

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“couples therapy”

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“relationship counseling”

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“child parent relationship”