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Mental Health of Refugees and Torture Survivors: A Critical Review of Prevalence, Predictors, and Integrated Care

Author

Listed:
  • Hiba Abu Suhaiban

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA)

  • Lana Ruvolo Grasser

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA)

  • Arash Javanbakht

    (Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA)

Abstract

Civilian war trauma and torture rank among the most traumatic life experiences; exposure to such experiences is pervasive in nations experiencing both internal and external conflict. This has led to a high volume of refugees resettling throughout the world with mental health needs that primary care physicians may not be screening for and prepared to effectively address. In this article, we review the literature on demographics, predictors, mental health outcomes of torture, and integrated care for the mental health needs of refugees. We searched PubMed and PSYCINFO databases for original research articles on refugees and mental health published in the English language between 2010 and present. Nine percent of 720 adults in conflict areas in Nepal, with predominance of literate married males, met the threshold for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), 27.5% for depression, and 22.9% for anxiety. While, PTSD rate has been documented as high as 88.3% among torture survivors from Middle East (ME), Central Africa (CA), South Asia (SA), Southeast Europe (SE). Depression was recorded as high as 94.7% among 131 African torture survivors and anxiety as high as 91% among 55 South African torture survivors. Torture severity, post-migration difficulties, and wait time to receive clinical services were significantly associated with higher rate of mental health symptoms. Mental health screening is not a standard component of initial physical exams for refugees, yet these individuals have had high trauma exposure that should inform clinical care. Integrated care models are lacking but would greatly benefit this community to prevent progression to greater severity of mental health symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiba Abu Suhaiban & Lana Ruvolo Grasser & Arash Javanbakht, 2019. "Mental Health of Refugees and Torture Survivors: A Critical Review of Prevalence, Predictors, and Integrated Care," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:13:p:2309-:d:244105
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vanessa Yarwood & Francesco Checchi & Karen Lau & Cathy Zimmerman, 2022. "LGBTQI + Migrants: A Systematic Review and Conceptual Framework of Health, Safety and Wellbeing during Migration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-22, January.
    2. Aron Tesfai & Laura E. Captari & Anna Meyer-Weitz & Richard G. Cowden, 2023. "Coping Resources among Forced Migrants in South Africa: Exploring the Role of Character Strengths in Coping, Adjustment, and Flourishing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Sousa, C. & Stein, A. & Shapiro, J. & Shanfeld, G. & Cristaudo, K. & Siddiqi, M. & Haffield, M. & Reddy, H., 2023. "“Life becomes about survival”: Resettlement, integration, and social services among refugee parents," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    4. Mette Hvidegaard & Kamilla Lanng & Karin Meyer & Christian Wejse & Anne Mette Fløe Hvass, 2023. "What Are the Characteristics of Torture Victims in Recently Arrived Refugees? A Cross-Sectional Study of Newly Arrived Refugees in Aarhus, Denmark," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Marie Høgh Thøgersen & Line Bager & Sofie Grimshave Bangsgaard & Sabina Palic & Mikkel Auning-Hansen & Stine Bjerrum Møller & Kirstine Bruun Larsen & Louise Tækker & Bo Søndergaard Jensen & Søren Both, 2023. "The Danish Trauma Database for Refugees (DTD): A Multicenter Database Collaboration—Overcoming the Challenges and Enhancing Mental Health Treatment and Research for Refugees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-16, August.

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