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Predictors of Environmental Sensitivity in Syrian refugee children
Andrew K May1,2, Demelza Smeeth3, Fiona McEwen3,4
1Department of Psychological Sciences, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
Summary
Childhood Environmental Sensitivity is linked to both supportive and adverse experiences. Factors like maternal control and insecurity influence sensitivity in refugee children, with small effect sizes observed.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Refugee Studies
Background:
- Refugee children exhibit varied responses to adversity.
- Environmental Sensitivity (ES) influences individual differences in response.
- Developmental influences on ES in refugee settings are understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate predictors of Environmental Sensitivity in Syrian refugee children.
- To explore individual, family, and community-level psychosocial and genetic factors.
- To understand the developmental trajectory of ES in this population.
Main Methods:
- A subsample of 1,409 Syrian refugee children and their mothers in Lebanon.
- Self-reported Environmental Sensitivity measured using the Highly Sensitive Child Scale.
- Multivariate adaptive regression spline models used to identify predictors.
Main Results:
- Twelve predictors of ES identified, including maternal behavioral control, human insecurity, positive home experiences, maternal anxiety, and child abuse.
- Maternal PTSD, war exposure, and bullying showed non-linear relationships with ES.
- Effect sizes for all predictors were small.
Conclusions:
- Both highly supportive and adverse contexts are associated with increased childhood Environmental Sensitivity.
- Polygenic scores for autism and ADHD did not predict ES.
- Further research on ES predictors is recommended for improved child assessment.
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