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Inconsistencies in the self‐report of traumatic experiences by unaccompanied refugee minors
Author(s) -
Spinhoven Philip,
Bean Tammy,
EurelingsBontekoe Liesbeth
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of traumatic stress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.259
H-Index - 134
eISSN - 1573-6598
pISSN - 0894-9867
DOI - 10.1002/jts.20152
Subject(s) - refugee , psychology , psychiatry , criminology , psychotherapist , political science , law
Abstract The authors investigated the consistency with which stressful life events are reported by unaccompanied refugee minors during a 12‐month follow‐up period and analyzed to what extent demographic and psychopathology variables affected memory consistency. From a population‐based sample of 920 unaccompanied refugee minors aged 12 to 18 years old, 63% completed the follow‐up measurements. Younger participants and those with lower levels of internalizing behavior and posttraumatic stress at follow‐up were more prone to memory inconsistencies. Moreover, younger participants and those with fewer inconsistencies were more likely to have obtained a temporary residence permit. Given the difference between accuracy and consistency, it is not warranted to interpret memory inconsistencies as an indication of lack of credibility when assessing traumatic life events in minors applying for asylum.