Submission ID 131536
| Issue/Objective | Unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking minors who have migrated in settings of conflict represent a growing population. Conflict in a minor's country of origin can drive migration over international borders, a journey that is often dangerous and further exacerbated by separation from an adult. Despite their vulnerability, unaccompanied minors remain a marginalized group whose lived experiences are insufficiently centred in research, contributing to ongoing global health inequities. While the experiences of unaccompanied minors are frequently explored in the literature, there remains a gap in research focused specifically on those forcibly displaced across international borders in conflict-affected settings. |
|---|---|
| Methodology/Approach | To address this gap, we examined the scope of existing literature on unaccompanied children who migrated across international borders in conflict-affected settings and explored the themes reported regarding their experiences. We searched four databases, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL, with no language restrictions and a timeline from 2010 to the present. Studies were included if they focused on refugee or asylum-seeking minors who migrated without a parent or guardian, whose migration was driven by conflict in their country of origin, and who crossed international borders. Following title and abstract screening and full-text review by two independent screeners, 42 studies met the inclusion criteria. |
| Results | A wide range of countries of origin were represented in the literature, with Afghanistan, Syria, and Eritrea most frequently represented. Fewer host countries were included, primarily in Europe with a particular focus on Germany, highlighting the limited representation of other host regions. There was a strong emphasis on mental health, including both the prevalence of conditions and the evaluation of interventions, alongside themes of physical health, social integration, and education. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This review maps the existing literature on the experiences of these unaccompanied refugee and asylum-seeking minors, highlighting areas for future research and emphasizing the importance of understanding these children's experiences when developing policies and support programs that address their complex and ongoing needs. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Sarah Black Queen's University Eva Purkey Queen's University Emma Patterson Queen's University Khaing Zar Lwin Mahidol University Nway Nway Oo Mae Tao Clinic Chalitar Chomchoei Mae Fah Luang University Katemanee Moonpanane Mae Fah Luang University Colleen Davison Queen's University |
