MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBJECTIVE WELLBEING IN UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN: PREVALENCE AND TREATMENT COVERAGE

Unaccompanied migrant children (UMC) are a group whose process of integration in the host country is not without its difficulties, making it a group at risk for developing mental health problems. This study aims to evaluate mental health problems and treatment coverage provided this population. With this goal, a sample of 93 UMC and 137 young people in residential care who served as comparison group filled in the Youth Self Report (YSR) and the Personal Wellbeing Index (PWI). Educators in charge reported the treatment coverage received by the young people. Results point out that, while the comparison group displayed a higher prevalence of externalizing problems, a high percentage of UMC were also within the clinical range, especially for internalizing problems. Unaccompanied migrant children were more satisfied than the comparison group in some domains of the PWI, but less satisfied with the groups of people they belong to. In relation to treatment coverage, it was found that the attention given to UMC's mental health problems is scarce. Consequently, these children's mental health should be included in the agenda of the services provided to these children, redoubling efforts to detect and treat these problems.