A Systematic Review on Resilience and Risk Factors at Migrant Children and Adolescents in European Countries

Abstract

Abstract
This article represents a systematic literature review on resilience or protective factors and on the
risk factors that are characteristics of migrant children and adolescents in European countries. It
represents and synthesizes the main findings of literature in this area over the past 20 years. Of
675 articles that included the title, abstract or keywords related to migration, status as children,
adolescents or minors, and defensive or risk factors, 30 articles that have met the systematic
search criteria are selected. The main criteria excluded studies carried outside Europe, studies in
other languages except English, adult studies, studies focusing on internal migration, studies with
refugees or asylum seekers, and studies with children or adolescents that have not migrated on
their own or after they are back to their country of origin.
The main topics that were explored in articles are psycho-social adaptation of immigrants,
acculturation in the host country, social and peer relationships among immigrant and native
children, as well as various mental health disorders and clinical diagnoses. Studies also focused
on various physical disorders such as diabetes, obesity, or acquired habits such as drinking
alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. Almost all studies have a quantitative nature and have explored the
differences between migrant and immigrant adolescents versus native ones through simple
statistical analysis. In most cases, studies have not been focused exclusively on immigrant
samples, but have identified minors with migration history within the general population sample,
those who have immigrated on their own or whose parents have arrived in the host country
before their birth.
Key words: Emigration; Immigration; Resilience; Protective factors; Risk Factors; Children;
Adolescents; Europe.

Full text

A Systematic Review on Resilience and Risk Factors at Migrant Children and Adolescents in European
Countries
Orgesë Rafuna, MA
1
, Jon Konjufca, MA1, Natyra Agani-Destani, Ass, PhD cand.
2
May, 2017
1
Department of Psychology, program Clinical and Health Psychology
2
Assistant at the Department of Psychology, PhD candidate at Clemson University.

Abstract
This article represents a systematic literature review on resilience or protective factors and on the
risk factors that are characteristics of migrant children and adolescents in European countries. It
represents and synthesizes the main findings of literature in this area over the past 20 years. Of
675 articles that included the title, abstract or keywords related to migration, status as children,
adolescents or minors, and defensive or risk factors, 30 articles that have met the systematic
search criteria are selected. The main criteria excluded studies carried outside Europe, studies in
other languages except English, adult studies, studies focusing on internal migration, studies with
refugees or asylum seekers, and studies with children or adolescents that have not migrated on
their own or after they are back to their country of origin.
The main topics that were explored in articles are psycho-social adaptation of immigrants,
acculturation in the host country, social and peer relationships among immigrant and native
children, as well as various mental health disorders and clinical diagnoses. Studies also focused
on various physical disorders such as diabetes, obesity, or acquired habits such as drinking
alcohol, tobacco or cannabis. Almost all studies have a quantitative nature and have explored the
differences between migrant and immigrant adolescents versus native ones through simple
statistical analysis. In most cases, studies have not been focused exclusively on immigrant
samples, but have identified minors with migration history within the general population sample,
those who have immigrated on their own or whose parents have arrived in the host country
before their birth.
Key words: Emigration; Immigration; Resilience; Protective factors; Risk Factors; Children;
Adolescents; Europe.