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Traumatic Experience and Coping among Adolescent Refugees: A scoping review
Solomon D Danga1, Babatope O Adebiyi1, Erica Koegler2
1Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families, and Society, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag x17, Bellville, 7535 South Africa.
Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
|March 23, 2026
Summary
Adolescent refugees often use emotion-focused or avoidant coping strategies after trauma. Developing problem-solving skills is crucial for their adjustment and resilience.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Adolescent refugees face unique vulnerabilities due to developmental stage and trauma exposure.
- Limited understanding exists regarding their coping mechanisms and adjustment post-trauma.
- This review addresses the gap in literature concerning trauma coping strategies in adolescent refugees.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically identify coping strategies used by adolescent refugees.
- To examine the association between trauma exposure and coping mechanisms in this population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four electronic databases.
- Inclusion criteria focused on studies examining trauma, coping strategies, and adolescent refugees (12-18 years).
- Six peer-reviewed articles published between 2001 and 2021 were included.
Main Results:
- Adolescent refugees predominantly utilized emotion-focused, avoidant, and social support coping strategies.
- Trauma exposure was more strongly linked to emotion-focused, avoidant, and social support strategies than active/problem-focused ones.
- Avoidant coping was associated with maladjustment in young refugees.
Conclusions:
- Future interventions should prioritize equipping adolescent refugees with problem-solving and active coping skills.
- Addressing psychosocial, cultural, and educational challenges is key to fostering resilience.
- Promoting adaptive coping strategies can enhance positive adjustment in adolescent refugees.
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