Emotional and Behavioural Problems Among Refugee Children and Adolescents Living in South Australia

Abstract

While there is a growing body of literature on the mental health status of adult refugees, children have been relatively neglected in research, particularly in Australia. This study investigated the prevalence of emotional and behavioural problems and patterns of service utilisation among 530 refugee children and adolescents aged 4–17 years living in South Australia. Parents and teachers of children aged 4–17 years and adolescents aged 13–17 years completed the appropriate versions of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Of the 11.0% of children and adolescents found to have borderline or abnormal emotional and behavioural problems, only 13.0% accessed professional help. The study has practical implications for policy and practice.

Key words:

• emotional and behavioural problems
• refugee children and adolescents
• service utilisation

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Council. We wish to thank parents, adolescents, teachers, and the Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia. Our research assistants included: Mr Ben Stewart, Dr Jane Warland, Ms Bev Rundle, and Ms Lynda Caudle.

Notes

1. Data were included if they contained no more than two missing items from each of the four subscales comprising the total score. Cases that contained more than two missing items were excluded from the analysis.