Suchergebnisse

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare the psychological health of children in foster care with that of children in institutional care. Social workers were asked to assess the psychological health of the children as well as several other criteria on the basis of an analysis grid. Our sample consisted of 568 children placed in foster care and 661 children placed in institutions. Our results show that children in care who lived longer with their birth parents have a lower psychological health. Furthermore, the psychological health of children in residential care is lower than children placed in foster families. As children in institution are placed later than children in foster families, this may partially explain the lower psychological health of children in residential care. As a result, children in residential care have experienced more abuse and neglect and witnessed more domestic violence than children in foster care. In addition, children in residential care have more poor‐quality contacts with their birth parents than children in foster family. These contacts negatively influence their psychological health. Finally, the factor that most influences the psychological health of children in care is the quality of the relationship with the people who care for them on a daily basis. Again, children placed in foster families have better‐quality relationships with their foster families than children placed in institutions.

Background: Research on the impact of post-migration experiences on the mental health of migrant populations has shown a predictive link between post-migration living difficulties and psychological distress. While many studies have focussed on refugees and asylum seekers, there is a considerable gap in the literature concerning undocumented migrants. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the differences in mental health between documented and undocumented migrants in Belgium. It identified the post-migration difficulties encountered by these two groups and measured their impact on their levels of trauma, resilience, anxiety, depression and their assumptive world. Method: This study involved 69 participants, aged 18 to 68 years, who were either documented or undocumented resident in Belgium. Our data collection included the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Checklist for the measurement of post-migration difficulties, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – DSM-V version for the measurement of trauma, the World Assumptions Questionnaire for the measurement of the assumptive world, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 for the measurement of depressive and anxiety disorders and the Adult Resilience Measure – Revised for the measurement of resilience. Results: Our analyses showed that the mental health of undocumented migrants was poorer than that of documented migrants, with higher levels of trauma, anxiety and depression, a more negative assumptive world, a lower sense of control and lower total and personal resilience. Our results also revealed that post-migration living difficulties were more severe and more numerous for undocumented migrants, and that they were associated to different themes in both groups. Conclusions: The fact that post-migration experience plays such an important role in the mental health of migrant populations raises significant clinical, political and societal considerations. Furthermore, it would appear that undocumented migrants represent a distinct migratory group with their own specificities in terms of migration journey and mental health.

Background: Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) with the intent of forced pregnancy is common in conflict, and used as a way to dominate women and their society/community. There is growing recognition of the needs of children born of CRSV, particularly by humanitarian
practitioners who are coming into contact with them in emergency settings. We sought to find out what is the state-of-the-art on interventions to support children born of CRSV (and their families)? Methods: We systematically searched electronic databases (JSTOR, Google Scholar,
Scopus, Cairn Info and Embase) and hand searched reference lists of key publications, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO), United Nations (UN) agencies, international organisations and governmental reports on this topic and in the area of genderbased violence (GBV), child protection,
health and other sectors addressed at humanitarian practitioners. Results: Experiences of children born of CRSV include psychological, economic, medical, and legal aspects. Responses to their needs include food aid, medical care, housing assistance, financial support for the mothers
of children born of CRSV, and therapeutic games and counselling. However, these responses remain insignificant and partial, and are very often only implemented in one setting. The paucity of the evidence base is clear. Conclusion: Children born of conflict related sexual violence
are a special population, both because of the context in which they were conceived, and because of the experiences they face. To deal with the complexity of their situation and thus respond effectively to their holistic needs, various actors must work in synergy.