- Forced migration and refugee health
- Implementation and Treatment
Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers – Trauma experiences and mental health problems
In this study we investigate the experiences that unaccompanied asylum seekers who come to Norway under the age of 15 have had prior to arriving in Norway, and the needs and issues they have upon arrival and after moving to a municipality. They are interviewed at four time points.
Contact the research group
Elin Sofia Andersson
Synne Øien Stensland
Facts about the project
Period
2009-2032
Project description
The study has three purposes. The first is to acquire more knowledge about the potentially traumatizing experiences that young, single asylum seekers have had before arriving in Norway. The second purpose is to gain more knowledge about the psychological difficulties they have. And the third is to understand more of their longterm mental health problems and acculturation. Knowledge of this type will be important both for the assessment of the individual child’s treatment needs and for planning and preparation of interventions at the care centres that receive young, single asylum seekers.
The following research issues are to be addressed:
- What are the experiences that young, unaccompanied asylum seekers have had before their arrival in Norway?
- To what extent do they have mental health problems?
- How do their mental health problems develop over time and how do they cope?
- How do they describe their situation before and during the flight to Norway, and how do they percieve their current situation?
Semi-structured interview and survey of PTSD, experiences of trauma and general psychological health at four time points: The first is when they are newly arrived to Norway and the second and third is when they have moved to the municipality. The fourth timepoint will be when they are adults.