Unaccompanied Children in the United States

Abstract

Unaccompanied children have arrived at the US border in increasing numbers since 2012, reaching a peak of 59,692 children apprehended at the US border in 2016. This dissertation includes three studies to better understand the characteristics of integration as experienced by unaccompanied children who arrive to the US. The first study examines rates of PTSD in a sample of unaccompanied children receiving post release services. This study also includes a confirmatory factor analysis to examine the theoretical structure of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS). The second study examines factors associated with adversity experienced by unaccompanied children who are exiting a long term foster care program. The third study examines factors associated with employment outcomes for unaccompanied children exiting the Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM) federal foster care program. Together, the three studies comprise an exploratory dissertation that sheds light on the characteristics of two primary features of immigrant integration, namely mental health and employment.