Refugees, resettlement experiences and mental health: a systematic review of case studies

Abstract

Objective In 2017 the number of refugees around the world reached 25.4 million. These people make up one of the most vulnerable populations globally. This study aims to understand the strategies refugees used to cope with the impact on their mental health by the difficult pre- and post-resettlement circumstances they encountered. Methods A systematic review of articles reporting case studies concerning adult refugees’ experiences in the hosting country. The electronic databases searched were: PubMed, The Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science. Eligible manuscripts were examined through a narrative synthesis. Results Twenty-two articles fitted the inclusion criteria and four main themes were highlighted: reasons for fleeing; the impact of negative experiences on mental health; supportive experiences and coping strategies; and experiences of mental health treatment. Conclusions Refugees present a significant impact on mental health due to pre- and post-migration experiences. The approach offered to this group and reported as the most effective to deal with such an impact was the multidimensional approach that, besides caring for the psychic aspects, contemplated the cultural context of each one, assisted in housing, employment, financial aid, support with learning the new language and social activities.

A saúde mental de crianças e adolescentes refugiados e suas consequências na gênese da síndrome da resignação

“…Para mais, houve análises a respeito do impacto da restrição de liberdade na saúde mental, traumas relacionados à violência social intrínseca ao fluxo migratório involuntário, bem como a atuação dos profissionais de saúde na atenção as afecções mentais desse grupo populacional (Prado & Araujo, 2019). (Bulik & Colucci, 2019). Logo, entende-se que a maioria dos refugiados foram submetidos a condições desumanas e o efeito de terem suas casas, vivências e famílias destruídas deve ser considerado ao se trabalhar com essa população (Bulik & Colucci, 2019).…”

“…(Bulik & Colucci, 2019). Logo, entende-se que a maioria dos refugiados foram submetidos a condições desumanas e o efeito de terem suas casas, vivências e famílias destruídas deve ser considerado ao se trabalhar com essa população (Bulik & Colucci, 2019).…”

Lived Experiences of Mental Health Recovery in Persons of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Backgrounds within the Australian Context

“…As such, their senses of personhood post-forced migration should be considered “in the context of developing culture bereavement, culture conflict and culture shock” (Bhugra et al, 2010 , p. 144), or what Berry ( 2018 ) referred to as, acculturative stress. Greater acculturative stress and cognitive dissonance related to attempts to adapt to the values and expectations of one’s new environment can lead to cultural bereavement and an experience of internal culture conflict (Bulik & Colucci, 2019 ; Bhugra et al, 2021 ). Nevena offered a practical example of this when she told of learning to walk on the left-hand side of the street.…”

Syrian Refugees’ Experiences of the Pandemic in Canada: Barriers to Integration and Just Solutions

“…Because refugees live through unstable conditions when leaving their home country (Bulik & Colucci, 2019), being in transit, living in refugee camps (Wessels, 2014), and waiting for approval to be admitted to a receiving county (Laban et al, 2005), they are at increased risk of experiencing negative social and health consequences (Kirmayer et al, 2011;Müller et al, 2018). Once they arrive in a receiving country, accessing appropriate housing is often a daunting experience in both urban and rural areas, and efforts to access suitable housing may be even more difficult while trying to address social and health consequences.…”

“…The one-year timeframe does not necessarily align with the length of time it often takes to find stable and suitable housing. Refugees experience challenges when they arrive in the receiving country, including with the new health and social systems, a new culture, mental health and trauma (Bulik & Colucci, 2019). Generally speaking, GARs arrive in the receiving country with weaker language skills, lower education, and less access to employment than other categories of refugees (Wilkinson & Garcea, 2017).…”