Prosocial development in refugee children

Malti, T., Galarneau, E., Zhang, L., Myatt, E. and Yavuz, H. M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2780-1962 (2021) Prosocial development in refugee children. Journal of Refugee Studies, 34 (4). pp. 4242-4261. ISSN 1471-6925 doi: 10.1093/JRS/FEAA104

Abstract/Summary

Understanding how to best support resettled refugee children’s social adjustment is paramount, yet such research is scarce. In this study, we examined the prosocial functioning of refugee children who had recently resettled in Canada (N = 93; 5- to 12-year-olds; Mage = 8.16; 55% girls). Children described instances when they helped and received help from someone, and the motivations behind each helping behaviour. In narratives about providing help, children most frequently reported direct help. In narratives about receiving help, children most frequently described being taught something. Consistent with previous work with Western and non-refugee children, the children most frequently reported sympathy-based motives. However, they also frequently cited relationship-based motives—a finding which may be unique to refugee experiences (e.g. separation from family). We found developmental differences in the types of prosocial behaviours and motivations. Implications for future culturally sensitive assessments of refugee children’s positive social adjustment and mental health outcomes are discussed.