Telling the story: a psychological review on assessing adolescents' asylum claims
File(s)Given-Wilson et al 2016.pdf (782.2 KB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Given-Wilson, Z
Herlihy, J
Hodes, M
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) are separated from caregivers, have often been exposed to significant additional past and ongoing adversities, and seek protection from war, organized violence, or persecution in a new country. Obtaining a more secure legal position by achieving recognition of the asylum claim and legal rights may involve arduous interviews with officials who appear disbelieving. Assessing a minor’s claim to asylum is an important and difficult task. UASC often arrive with little “proof” or documentation to justify their claims and can only provide their account in making their claim. Without such proof, decision makers turn to the subjective judgment of the applicant’s credibility. This review appraises the literature on UASC asylum claims from a psychological perspective. Searches were made of the main databases for relevant studies. The review focuses on key findings: developmental processes, mental health, autobiographical memory, cultural influences, and decision makers’ own thinking processes and subjective states. Key findings specific to the UASC predicament are their ability to tell their story—an aspect of autobiographical memory, which is affected by developmental stage, presence of mental illness, and culture. The review shows that the decision makers’ own beliefs, past experiences, and emotional state also affects their decision-making processes. An adequate assessment requires evaluation of a multitude of factors and careful decision making. The findings are pertinent for understanding the UASC, interviewing style, and appraising the information. The implications for policy and practice are summarized.
Date Issued
2016-11-01
Date Acceptance
2016-11-01
Citation
Canadian Psychology-Psychologie Canadienne, 2016, 57 (4), pp.265-273
ISSN
0708-5591
Publisher
Canadian Psychological Association
Start Page
265
End Page
273
Journal / Book Title
Canadian Psychology-Psychologie Canadienne
Volume
57
Issue
4
Copyright Statement
© 2016 Canadian Psychological Association. This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the CPA journal. It is not the copy of record. The final version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/cap0000077
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000387240400004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Social Sciences
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Psychology
asylum
refugee
youth
unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
decision making
POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER
AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORY
REFUGEE CHILDREN
MENTAL-HEALTH
TRAUMA
CHILDHOOD
CREDIBILITY
IMPACT
ABUSE
RISK
Social Psychology
17 Psychology And Cognitive Sciences
Publication Status
Published