Ur askan i elden?
Om psykologiskt arbete med asylsökande barn
AsylsökandeFlyktingarPhenomenological studyEthical dilemmasTrauma treatmentFamily dynamicsTraumaAsylum-seeking childrenMental healthFlyktingbarnPsykiska traumanPsychologyPsykologiSocial Sciences
This phenomenological study explores the mental health problems of asylum- seeking children in Sweden and highlights possible ways of meeting their needs. Open interviews with 13 clinically experienced psychologists were conducted.The results of the analysis suggest that experiences of trauma and separation, the child's developmental level, parental functioning and family dynamics contribute to the mental health problems of asylum- seeking children. When meeting these children the psychologists continuously face ethical dilemmas since the asylum-seeking process seems to aggravate the problems as well as complicate the use of traditional interventions. Promoting structure and activity, normalizing symptoms, educating about trauma and crisis, sharing and accepting anxieties and sometimes thoroughly working through traumatic experiences are treatment strategies found clinically useful. Systematic follow-up studies are needed to decide the effects of these interventions.