Inconsistencies in the self-report of traumatic experiences by unaccompanied refugee minors.
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.
Spinhoven
Philip
P
Department of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. spinhoven@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Bean
Tammy
T
Eurelings-Bontekoe
Liesbeth
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D033242:Minors / Q000523:psychology*; D009426:Netherlands; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D040921:Stress Disorders, Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology