Elsevier

Social Science & Medicine

Volume 142, October 2015, Pages 163-168
Social Science & Medicine

Short communication
The persistence of predictors of wellbeing among refugee youth eight years after resettlement in Melbourne, Australia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.08.017Get rights and content

Highlights

  • We assess predictors of refugee youth wellbeing over first eight years in Australia.

  • Impact of discrimination on refugee youth wellbeing persists over time.

  • Anti-discrimination policies should be part of refugee settlement programs.

Abstract

This short report assesses the predictors of subjective health and happiness among a cohort of refugee youth over their first eight years in Australia. Five waves of data collection were conducted between 2004 (n = 120) and 2012–13 (n = 51) using mixed methods. Previous schooling, self-esteem, moving house in the previous year, a supportive social environment, stronger ethnic identity and perceived discrimination were significant predictors of wellbeing after adjusting for demographic and pre-migration factors. When compared with a previous analysis of this cohort over their first three years of settlement, experiences of social exclusion still have a significant impact on wellbeing eight years after arriving in Australia. This study contributes to mounting evidence in support of policies that discourage discrimination and promote social inclusion and cultural diversity and which underpin the wellbeing of resettled refugee youth.

Introduction

In 2010, the predictors of wellbeing among a cohort of refugee youth (aged 11–19) over their first three years of settlement in Melbourne, Australia were reported (Correa-Velez et al., 2010). The authors concluded that predictors of wellbeing were “those that can be understood to promote a sense of belonging, becoming at home, being able to flourish and become part of the new host society” (Correa-Velez et al., 2010) (p.1406). The report stated, “settlement specific policies and programs can ultimately only be effective if embedded within a broader socially inclusive society ( … ) And this requires broader social reform relating to tackling issues of racism, discrimination, bullying, and increased flexibility in the ways these youth can access the social goods to which they are entitled” (p.1407).

Two additional waves of data collection were conducted in 2007–08 (wave four) and 2012–13 (wave five). Further analysis of the predictors of wellbeing is of value given the scarcity of research examining the longer term settlement experiences of refugees (RCOA, 2010, Smyth et al., 2010). International evidence on predictors of migrant health, including refugees, shows a strong and consistent association between social exclusion and poor mental health, subjective health and wellbeing (Beiser et al., 2015, Lecerof et al., 2015, Montgomery and Foldspang, 2008). Conversely, indicators of social inclusion and social participation are consistently associated with positive health and wellbeing (Edge et al., 2014, Lecerof et al., 2015, Sleijpen et al., 2015).

This short report asks whether the factors that predict wellbeing in the short term persist over time as these adolescents transition to young adults. It contributes to the evidence that social exclusion, including discrimination, has an adverse impact on the wellbeing of refugee youth not only in the early settlement period but over time.

Section snippets

Sampling

Immigrant youth typically spend 6–12 months at an English Language School (ELS) during their first year in Australia before entering mainstream schools. Participants were recruited through three ELSs that had high numbers of refugee students. 120 young people (55 female, 65 male) were recruited. Ethical clearance was obtained from La Trobe University and from partner organizations.

Data collection

Four annual waves of data collection were conducted between 2004 and 2008. The first three involved completion of a

Participants' characteristics

Participants' characteristics at each wave are shown in Table 2. When comparing wave one data between respondents to wave five (n = 51) and those lost to follow-up (n = 69), there were no statistically significant differences in terms of gender (p = 0.547), region of birth (p = 0.146), age (p = 0.705), previous schooling (p = 0.550), time in Australia (p = 0.052), and English language proficiency (p = 0.552). Similarly, no statistically significant differences in demographic and pre-migration

Discussion

This analysis of the longitudinal predictors of wellbeing among a cohort of refugee youth over their first eight years in Australia has found that a longer period of schooling prior to arriving in Australia, greater self-esteem and a supportive social environment were positively associated with subjective health status; moving house over the previous year had a negative impact on subjective health status. Stronger ethnic identity was positively associated with levels of happiness. Experiences

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the young people who participated in this study, the staff from the English Language Schools, and the research team. We also acknowledge the valuable comments provided by the anonymous reviewers. Funding for the different stages of this study was provided by VicHealth, Foundation House (VFST), Sydney Myer Fund, William Buckland Foundation, Mrs and Mr Spitzer, La Trobe University, and the Australian Research Council (DP 120101579).

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