Psychological Adaptation of Refugee Children and Adolescents: Promoting Resilience and Well-Being in the School Setting

The influx of refugees constitutes a current global humanitarian crisis and international challenge largely affecting school communities worldwide. Resettlement involves several changes in the lives of individuals and can be detrimental to migrants’ physical and mental health. Children who are refugees, asylum seekers, or forcibly displaced immigrants constitute distinct vulnerable groups within the student population since they are prone to experience several psychosocial and behavioral difficulties. Therefore, the aim of the chapter is to describe the needs and strengths of refugee and immigrant children in the process of their psychological adaptation to their host countries. Also, we highlight the role of school communities in the enhancement of their resilience and the promotion of their psychological adaptation and mental health. Definitions and conceptual issues are initially addressed followed by a description of children’s needs as well as individual, family, and contextual variables that interplay with children’s and adolescents’ adaptation. Finally, considerations regarding the role of schools in supporting these students and in implementing interventions and trauma-informed practices are discussed.