A Review of the Use of Trauma Systems Therapy to Treat Refugee Children, Adolescents, and Families

ABSTRACT

Children and adolescents within refugee families face adverse childhood experiences emanating from multiple sources. These traumatic events can begin with persecution within their country of origin, during the migration process, and within their re-settled countries. More specifically, these children and their families are more prone to the four core stressors being: traumatic, acculturative, isolative and resettlement stress. Trauma Systems Therapy for Refugees (TST-R) is a promising treatment model to address child and adolescent mental health disparities revolving around direct and vicarious trauma. In TST-R, the treatment team systematically targets the needs of the child, while collaborating with cultural brokers from the refugee community, their school, and family unit. Researchers have used TST-R as an intervention for reducing trauma symptoms in Somali, Somali-Bantu, and Bhutanese children, adolescents, and their families. We review the strengths and limitations of this model. Further research is needed to determine its applicability to other communities within the United States and abroad.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Bronfenbrenner’s (1979) original conceptualization of the ecological systems theory included the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem. He noted that the microsystem refers to “a pattern of activities, roles, and interpersonal relations experienced by the developing person in a given setting with particular physical and material characteristics (p. 22).” The mesosystem “comprises the interrelations among two or more settings in which the developing person actively participates (p. 25).” The exosystem is “one or more settings that do not involve the developing person as an active participant, but affect what happens in the setting containing the developing person (p. 25).” Finally, the macrosystem refer to “consistencies within the larger culture or subculture of society (p. 26).” In Bronfenbrenner and Ceci (1994) reconceptualization, they put a greater emphasis on the impact of biology and the chronosystem, which refers to the time period people are raised in. This resulted in Bronfenbrenner’s theory being changed into a bioecological systems model.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel Kaplin

Daniel Kaplin, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Psychology and Coordinator of the Forum on Migration at St. Francis College. Dr. Kaplin’s research focuses on cross-cultural psychology, immigration, religion/spirituality, and prescriptive authority for psychologists. Dr. Kaplin has received many awards and recognition for his work, including NYSPA’s prestigious Diversity Award.

Kristen Parente

Kristen Parente, B.S., is a doctoral student in the School/Clinical Psychology program at Kean University and the current President of APA Division 12 Section 10. Ms Parente’s research interests surround marginalized groups, specifically in the childhood and adolescent population.  Ms. Parente is also an active member in state level psychological associations.

Francesca A. Santacroce

Francesca A. Santacroce, B.S., is a recent graduate from New York University's Biochemical engineering program. She has conducted research on addressing the needs of individuals with visual impairments. Ms. Santacroce will be applying to medical school in the upcoming cycle.