Social and Psychological Adaptation of Children of Forced Migrants to the Conditions of the Host Country

Tatyana F. Suslova, Larissa I. Starovoitova, Tatiana E. Demidova

Tatyana F. Suslova PhD., Associate Professor, Moscow State Regional University. Area of expertise: family in the socio-psychological paradigm of research, socio-psychological technologies for solving urgent problems of a family, psychology of family relations, methods of family relation, social work with different categories of Moscow families.

Larissa I. Starovoitova (Starovojtovava) Doctor of History, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, Russian State Social University. Moscow. Area of expertise: history and theory of social work, methods and technologies of social work, development of social projects and programs, research
methods in social work.

Tatiana E. Demidova Doctor of History, Professor, Faculty of Social Work, Russian State Social University, Moscow. Area of expertise: professional communication of a social worker, social and spiritual processes in the information society (comparative analysis of domestic and foreign experience), methods and technologies of social work, modern models of social work.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the article is the analysis of external and internal factors that hamper the problems that children of forced migrants face in the process of socio-psychological adaptation to living conditions in the host country. This article is based on the study of refugees’ experience in Russia, which does not currently have any refugee camps, but refugees coming to Russia may have spent time in refugee camps in other countries and this could affect their experience in moving to Russia. THEORETICAL BASE: Social and psychological theories dealing with human behaviour, research works of scientists from different countries. METHODS: Information analysis, sociological observation, expert assessment method. OUTCOMES: The main conclusion is that forced migration is a natural process of development of modern states and it cannot be stopped, but it can be managed through the unification of efforts of state and social organizations, indigenous people and migrants themselves, of constructive acceptance and assistance to forced migrants especially for children. SOCIAL WORK IMPLICATIONS: The resources of refugee children are described, which are important to take into account when providing social and psychological assistance in overcoming negative emotional states, stress and building their future in the country of reception. The areas of social and psychological assistance to the children of forced migrants, which can be implemented at the level of the state and individual aid organizations, are defined.

Keywords

forced migration, problems, adaptation, resources, children, forced migrants, activities, help,
refugees

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