Social determinants of mental health for young people from refugee backgrounds: reflections from young people and their family members - Abstract

Sep 30, 2026

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Qualitative findings examine social determinants of mental health (SDMH) for refugee youth in Australia, incorporating young people’s and family members’ perspectives. Interviews to date include 45 young people aged 13–26 from diverse cultural backgrounds and migration pathways and 30 family members, transcribed and analysed thematically. Key factors include English language development, belonging and experiences of racism/discrimination, balancing family responsibilities with integration, parents’ health, and pressure to do well. Family participants report parallel challenges and difficulty discussing children’s mental health. Results inform co-design of a short SDMH screening tool.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

vi64 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 35, Supplement 6, 2025 Abstract citation ID: ckaf180.176 355 Social determinants of mental health for young people from refugee backgrounds: reflections from young people and their family members Anna Ziersch1, Moira Walsh1, Karen Block2, Ignacio Correa-Velez3, Nadia Son3, Hayat Akbari2, Elissa Abou Eissa1, Michaela Hynie4, Lillian Mwanri5, Sharon Lawn1, Emily Miller1, Clemence Due6, Enaam Oudih7, Ilundi Tinga2 1Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia 2University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia 3Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia 4York University, Toronto, Canada 5Torrens University, Adelaide, Australia 6University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia 7Relationships Australia SA, Adelaide, Australia OP 27: Refugees and Asylum Seekers 3, B210 (FCSH), September 4, 2025, 16:00-17:00 Aims: While a range of social determinants of health have been identified in relation to mental health for people from refugee backgrounds, there is relatively little research that has comprehensively examined these determinants for refugee youth specifically nor considered the perspectives of family members. This paper reports qualitative findings from a multidisciplinary, mixed methods research study examining social determinants of mental health (SDMH) for refugee youth in Australia. Methods: This qualitative component involved interviews to date with 45?young people from refugee backgrounds aged 13-26 from arange?of cultural backgrounds and migration pathways who had experienced mental health challenges, and 30 family members (parents and siblings) of young people in this group. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and online and explored key SDMH for refugee youth. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: Key factors identified by young people themselves as affecting their mental health included developing English language skills, belonging (fitting in and experiences of racism and discrimination), balancing family responsibilities with their own integration, their parents’ health, and pressure to do well in a new country. These factors incorporated issues associated with finances, employment, and family separation and played out in family relationships and at school and in neighbourhoods, and also reflected the impacts of immigration and settlement and related policies. Family member participants reiterated similar themes in relation to their young family member, with most also reporting significant challenges to their own mental health. Parents in particular found it difficult to talk about mental health challenges for their children. Conclusions: Findings reported here are feeding into a co-design process with refugee young people, families and other stakeholders to develop and pilot a short SDMH refugee youth screening tool to assist services and community organisations identify key SDMH for individuals in order to better support mental wellbeing.

FAQs

What is the study’s main focus?

The study examines how social determinants of mental health shape mental health outcomes for refugee youth in Australia, including perspectives from both young people and family members.

How was the research conducted?

A qualitative component used interviews (face-to-face and online) with 45 young people aged 13–26 and 30 family members. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically.

Which social determinants were highlighted by participants?

Participants emphasized English language skill development, belonging and experiences of racism/discrimination, balancing family responsibilities with integration, parents’ health, and pressure to do well in a new country.

How will the findings be used?

Findings will feed into a co-design process to develop and pilot a short SDMH refugee youth screening tool for services and community organisations.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Sarah