Emotional and behavioral problems in migrant children

To assess emotional (depression, anxiety and self-esteem) and behavioural problems in migrant children and to compare them with non-migrant children.

526 students (60% boys, 40% girls) aged 11.23 +/- 1.05, at five schools in Adana, Turkey in areas with a high migrant population were included in this study. 182 children (35%) were migrants and 344 children (65%) were non-migrants. The Depression Inventory for Children (CDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C) and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (CSEI) were administered to the pupils at their school and Rutter's Teachers Rating Scale (RTRS) was administered to their teachers. Sociodemographic variables were recorded on the basis of school records and the children's report.

In the migrant group, fathers were less educated and had more employment problems, homes were rented and the children were unsuccessful at school. Migrant children had significantly lower self-esteem with higher depression and anxiety. Behavioural symptoms on RTRS were not significant with regard to migration. No significant correlation was found between psychometric tests and father's education, duration of residence after migration or room density.

We found significant emotional but no behavioural problems in Turkish migrant children compared to Turkish non-migrant children. Further prospective studies are needed to clarify the long-term course of the various types of distress and the individual prognosis of migrant adjustment.