Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Young Adult Asylum Seekers in Italy

• In Event: Underrepresented Voices: Positive Youth Development among Vulnerable Minority Children and Youth in Times of Pandemic

Abstract

The number of forcibly displaced people worldwide reached the amount of 79.5 million at the end of 2019; among these, around 26 million are refugees, and 4.2 million are asylum seekers (UNHCR, 2020). Compelling evidence shows that these populations are at increased risk of mental health problems due to their exposure to traumatic experiences before and after resettlement (Fazel et al., 2012; Silove et al., 2017). Since the COVID-19 outbreak, several studies have documented the detrimental impact of the pandemic on the general population’s mental health (Brooks et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020). However, knowledge concerning its psychological effects among underrepresented groups, such as refugees and asylum seekers, is extremely scarce. Building on theoretical approaches emphasizing the contribution of personal resources and social environments to youth positive development (Benson, 1997; Lerner et al., 2005), the current study investigated the psychosocial impact of the current health emergency on young adult asylum seekers in Italy using a mixed-methods approach. Specifically, we aimed to explore a) participants’ knowledge and opinions concerning COVID-19; b) how pandemic-related stressful events, perceived social support, and the lockdown imposed by the Italian government affected asylum seekers’ mental health and future orientation.
We individually interviewed 42 male young adult asylum seekers (Mage = 27.43 years, SD = 6.46) from Western and Central Africa who were residing in temporary housing facilities. Closed and open-ended questions asked about participants’ knowledge and opinions regarding COVID-19. In addition, orally administered questionnaires assessed stressful events (α = .85), practical (α = .85) and emotional support (α = .81) during the lockdown, as well as somatic symptoms (α = .69), psychological distress (α = .71), and future orientation (α = .94) before and during the lockdown.
Preliminary analyses indicate that according to most participants (83%), COVID-19 is a ‘real’ disease originating from China, but 64.3% of interviewees thought it was only a bit or moderately dangerous. Forty-five percent were quite or extremely satisfied about the information received from social workers about national guidelines and safety measures, and the vast majority (82%) followed such indications quite a bit or extremely. Approximately 40% of participants perceived little or no social support during the lockdown. The most frequently experienced stressful events were fear for the health of loved ones (88.1%), lack of freedom (81.1%), and loneliness/isolation (81.1%). Somatic symptoms and psychological distress significantly increased (t(41) = -3.17, p = .003 and t(41) = -5.17, p = .0001, respectively), whereas positive future orientation decreased during the lockdown (t(41) = -4.20, p = .0001). However, some participants found it helpful to focus on future goals (e.g., finding a job) to better cope with the current situation.
Overall, these preliminary findings highlight several social and psychological difficulties experienced by young adult male asylum seekers in relation to the pandemic. Following a positive youth development perspective, assets such as social support and a positive future orientation should be strengthened to protect potentially vulnerable and marginalized populations from the adverse outcomes of highly distressing contextual factors and continuous existential uncertainty.

Authors

• Chiara Ceccon, Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD)
  Presenting Author

• Ughetta Moscardino, Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD)
  Non-Presenting Author