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Upon resettlement, adults who are highly educated or former professionals in their country of origin may face the difficult and sometimes humiliating experience of finding employment in a society that does not recognize their educational background or work experience. A loss of status may particularly affect families with unrealized expectations of a better life or elevated social standing in the United States. The psychological and economic stress of this transition not only affects adults, but also their children, who must live with these changed circumstances.

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Mental Health Professionals and Other Care Providers Can Alleviate Distress and Encourage Resilience and Recovery in Refugee Children and Families

Comprehensive services are designed to address a broad range of needs in the population. Given the numerous stressors on individuals facing resettlement in a new country—including language, work, education, financial issues, and acculturation—it is important for clinicians working with refugee children and families to take a holistic approach by addressing daily life adaptation and problems, as opposed to focusing solely on mental health symptoms.