Implementing Research on the Impact of Social Isolation on Refugee Children and Youth: Their Resilience and Coping Mechanisms
Researchers: Akm Alamgir1, 2, Christopher Kyriakides2, Andrew Johnson3, Abeshu Gemechu2
Affiliations: Access Alliance1, York University2, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)3
Research Partner: Access Alliance, CAMH
Keywords: refugee children, refugee youth, social isolation, COVID-19, lockdown, mental health, wellbeing, resilience, coping strategies, peer researchers, systematic review
Jump to: Methodology, Findings, Recommendations, Publications & Reports
Summary
Overview: This study examined the effects of social isolation on refugee youth’s wellbeing and their coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research team engaged youth with lived experience as peer co-researchers in conducting a systematic review of the literature.
Objective: to understand the effects of prolonged social isolation on the health and wellbeing of refugee youth; to explore the coping strategies youth have used throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; and to create a model of resilience for refugee populations during similar situations.
Research Justification: Long-term lockdowns and social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic are unprecedented experiences which may have severe negative effects on refugee youth’s wellbeing. Community stakeholders, including refugee children, youth, and families, service providers, school boards, researchers, policy makers, and community organizations, will benefit from a better understanding of youth’s experiences and their coping strategies.
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Methodology
The research team conducted a peer-engaged systematic literature review between March 2022 and February 2023 following Cochrane Review principles and PRISMA structure. Eight databases, including Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), APA PsycINFO (Ovid), and CINAHL, were included. Open access databases were searched by snowball sampling from the bibliography of the searched articles. The findings were shared with peers in the community for validation.
Findings
Social isolation impacted five dimensions of refugee youth’s health:
- Physical Health – Youth were unable to participate in physical activities due to public health restrictions and their access to fresh air, sunlight, and space to exercise was reduced. Some youth developed issues with sleep, digestion, and dental health. Access to healthcare became a challenge.
- Mental Health – The rate of depression, anxiety, and PTSD increased. Youth felt lonely and isolated, and experienced a lack of interest in activities that were still available. For many, the trauma they experienced during their migration journey intensified during the pandemic.
- Social Health – Youth had less access to their social networks and felt like they were losing their sense of belonging. They had fewer opportunities to learn about their new country, culture, school, and work.
- Emotional Health – Feelings of worry, fear, and sadness arose. Youth experienced a mix of family support and family conflict. Their emotional distress worsened under systematic factors like food insecurity, financial adversity, stigmatization, and discrimination. Young women experienced a lack of privacy, increased family conflict, and gender-based violence.
- Spiritual Health – In some contexts, youth found support and comfort through religious activities that acted as an opportunity for social connection. However, these religious and spiritual practices were also interrupted by COVID-19 public health measures.
Youth used various coping strategies throughout the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Self-Regulation – Youth utilized self-efficacy, optimism, acceptance of uncertainty, finding a sense of purpose, and trust in themselves as positive coping strategies. They spent time doing creative activities like reading, journalling, and playing video games which often served as outlets for their emotions.
- Family Values and Support – family support was important for youth, especially in places without mental health and education structural supports.
- Social and Community Support – youth gave and received support from peers, friends, and housemates which helped protect their mental health and decrease feelings of loneliness. They maintained virtual connections with friends, family, and peers through WhatsApp, Tik Tok, and other social media platforms. Community centres were also important in supporting youth to grow and maintain their social networks.
- School and Online Courses – youth emphasized the role schools played in maintaining social connection and structure. Their wellbeing was better when they were enrolled in school or received support from schools.
- Religion and Spirituality – in certain contexts, youth engaged in faith-based practices as coping mechanisms which increased their feelings of comfort, trust, and hopefulness.
A model of resilience for refugee youth during prolonged social isolation includes the following mediators: A feeling of inclusion, being flexible to accommodate challenges, a practice of collaboration with family and community, and capitalizing on coping skills used in previous traumatic experiences
Recommendations
- Create in-person and online spaces for youth to connect with peers.
- Support youth in developing their positive coping strategies, including optimism, acceptance of uncertainty, self-efficacy, and sense of purpose.
- Coordinate health and settlement policy during times of public emergency.
Publications & Reports
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