Previous studies have shown that activity loss in unaccompanied refugee children is common. During the asylum process, inactivity, uncertainty and anxiety disorders, which may occur after trauma, can result in passivity. Unaccompanied refugee children are, according to the UN, children and young people under 18 years of age who have fled from their home country without an accompanying parent or guardian. The purpose of this study was to describe different activities and their significance for unaccompanied refugee children. The method used was a literature review. Data collection was done through literature searches in different databases PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Google Scholar and a manual search through reference lists. The search resulted in 18 relevant scientific articles, and was limited to articles that were no more than 11 years old and written in English or Swedish. The result from the analysis gave three main categories which are: 'Structure in everyday life gives a good feeling', 'Activities for pleasure can increase participation', 'School as support for finding new roles'. The result showed the importance of activities for unaccompanied refugee children, as they were perceived to have a positive impact on health and to give more energy and recovery. It also emerged that activities contributed to participation, balance and better health. The results showed the importance of activity for unaccompanied refugee children. Conclusions to be drawn from this study is to make the needed support visible for the refugee children in terms of activity training and that the creation of meaningful activities and that these may prevent or reduce loss of activity. Further research on activity needs  for unaccompanied refugee children is needed, to highlight and develop what occupational therapists  can contribute with in form of using the activity as a goal and means to facilitate the unaccompanied refugee children in their situation.

This study investigates the “the cost of caring” (Figley, 1995) for educators who teach and work with traumatized children; that is children who live in challenging social environments with ongoing stressors, such as family physical abuse, sexual assault, neglect, community violence, bereavement and loss issues, parental mental health and substance abuse, and homelessness. This study examines the theoretical framework of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). The phenomenon of STS has been investigated in depth for professionals, such as social workers, counselors/therapists, hotline/crisis workers, law enforcement officers, nurses, emergency medical technicians/paramedics, firefighters, and disaster relief workers (Bride et al, 2007). This study explores how teachers address the emotional stressors of teaching traumatized children, the impact of their work on them both personally and professionally, if teachers are able to incorporate self-care strategies, and explores the applicability of STS to elementary educators

Over the last couple of years, more than a million unaccompanied minor refugees (UMRs) have made it to the European Union. Their journeys have been long, tough, and hard and each unaccompanied minor refugee has a unique story, but they all share one thing. The traumatic events they have witnessed and experienced along the way have affected their mental health. Mental health issues, often symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are very common among UMRs. Untreated issues can lead to chronic PTSD, which could impact them for the rest of their lives. UMRs need support to process the traumas they have experienced, and one possible intervention is NET, Narrative Exposure Therapy. NET is an evidence-based, short-term, individual form of therapy. Supported by a therapist, the individual talk through his/her whole life while putting emphasis on the traumatic events aiming to work through and past them. The adapted form of NET that is used to treat children is called KidNET. Based on the hypothesis that KidNET has positive effects, reduces symptoms of PTSD, and strengthens mental health, the aim of the study is to show the effects of KidNET when treating traumatized children diagnosed with PTSD. Further objectives are set to see how effective KidNET is when compared to control groups, and if KidNET can be recommended as a suitable intervention to use among UMRs suffering from PTSD in Greece. A narrative literature review is chosen as the research method to reach the aim. The review revealed overall positive effects when using KidNET as an intervention targeting traumatized children with PTSD in various settings in different parts of the world. Positive effects found were better daily functioning, an ability to engage in meaningful activities, a reduction in feelings of guilt, stigmatization, and suicidal ideation, a decrease in the severity of PTSD and depression symptoms, and a full recovery from major clinical depression and PTSD. No negative effects were found in any of the studies included in the review. Several studies were limited by small sample sizes, no passive control group and not enough follow-up assessments. However, the overall outcome shows successful results and KidNET is found to be a suitable intervention when treating PTSD among UMRs in Greece, but further studies are recommended. / <p>On Zoom</p>