ABSTRACT

Objective:

This study aimed to address purposes of psychological interviewing with refugee children and adolescents, the diffi culties that might arise from cross- cultural communication, and critical points of psychological interviewing conducted with the aid of aninterpreter present.

Method:

In line with the study objectives, a comprehensive literature search was conducted in various databases, using the keywords "refugee children and adolescents", "psychological interviewing", and "mental health".

Results:

Reviewed articles emphasize the need for the interviewer to have a good perspective on cultural values of the refugee child’s original country, and their take on problems and disorders. Most prominent of the diffi culties encountered by refugee children and adolescents, is the experience of loss. Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression are among most commonly determined psychiatric disorders. In accordance with the aim of the interview, what the headlines should be and the questions to be directed in this context, are particularly important. It has been proposed that the diffi culties of working with an interpreter during the interview could be minimized by mutual cooperation of both parties.

Discussion:

Psychological interviewing plays an important role in screening the symptoms of refugee children, that would in turn create an opportunity for the development of practices used to protect and improve their mental health. It would be functional for the interviewer to be sensitive to crosscultural differences within the communication, and show the necessary attention and caution while working with an interpreter.