Assessing the plight of young unaccompanied refugees

Author(s) : Jérémie Blaser, Anne-Emmanuelle Ambresin, Martine Monnat, Florence Faucherre, Javier Sanchis, Alejandro Rojas-Urrego, Bernard Hunziker, Mario Gehri, Patrick Bodenmann

Source : https://smw.ch/article/doi/smw.2017.14547

Abstract:

In their article, currently available in Swiss Medical Weekly, Lorenzo Campisi et al. show that, in their study population, young first- and second-generation migrants had a lower engagement in risk behaviours than natives of a comparable group. Their results are reassuring, even if migration remains an important risk factor for psychological health. Their work helps us to avoid stereotypes, and to gather more information about the migrant population, as research in the field is not always consensual. They also underline how the environment in which these young persons are placed, as well as the opportunities it offers, are better determinants of health than migrant status in enhancing risk behaviours.