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Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Migrant Children and Adolescents in American Countries: A Systematic Review

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Abstract

The present review postulates the current mental health status in migrant children and adolescents in the North American continent. 35 studies published from 2009 to 2013 chosen from a systematic literature research were included. Almost all studies were conducted in the United States and Canada. From the perspective of selection effect, migration as a risk factor was not proven. The migration process perspective could have underestimated a higher danger of problem behavior in second-generation migrant children. Comparing native and migrant children, balanced results in problem behavior were reported, but the Asian migrant group was at higher risk of developing mental disorders. Family-based risk factors were offered: high acculturation stress, low English language competence, language brokering, discrepancies in children’s and parent’s cultural orientation, the non-Western cultural orientation, e.g., collectivistic, acceptance feelings of parents, or harsh parenting. However, the importance to support migrant families in the acculturation process becomes apparent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Clinical Psychology and Rehabilitation, Grazer Str. 6, 28359, Bremen, Germany

    Esmahan Belhadj Kouider & Franz Petermann

  2. Institutes for Special Education and Rehabilitation, Psychology Group for Special Education and Rehabilitation, University Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

    Ute Koglin

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  1. Esmahan Belhadj Kouider
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Correspondence to Esmahan Belhadj Kouider.

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Belhadj Kouider, E., Koglin, U. & Petermann, F. Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Migrant Children and Adolescents in American Countries: A Systematic Review. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1240–1258 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0039-2

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