Family Functioning and the Psychological Wellbeing of Refugee-Background Youth in Australia

Abstract

Experiences of young people from refugee backgrounds in resettlement are impacted by their families, communities, and society. This study investigated factors that affected the psychological wellbeing of refugee-background youth, highlighting the complex relationships between these factors. Quantitative survey data collected from refugee-background youth in Australia, aged 14-26 (n = 556) were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results showed that family function and discrimination impacted youth psychological wellbeing, with relationships mediated by levels of integration and resilience. Policies and practices targeting wellbeing can therefore focus on supporting families, to positively influence refugee-background young people and counter negative impacts of discrimination.