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The Mental Health Costs of Armed Conflicts—A Review of Systematic Reviews Conducted on Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and People Living in War Zones

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  • Bernardo Carpiniello

    (Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari & Psychiatric Unit, University Hospital, 09127 Cagliari, Italy)

Abstract

Aims: Armed conflicts produce a wide series of distressing consequences, including death, all of which impact negatively on the lives of survivors. This paper focuses specifically on the mental health consequences of war on adults and child/adolescent refugees or those living in war zones through a review of all systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses published from 2005 up until the current time. Results: Fifteen systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses conducted in adult populations, and seven relating to children and adolescents, were selected for the purpose of this review. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were two- to three-fold higher amongst people exposed to armed conflict compared to those who had not been exposed, with women and children being the most vulnerable to the outcome of armed conflicts. A series of war-related, migratory and post-migratory stressors contribute to short- and long-term mental health issues in the internally displaced, asylum seekers and refugees. Conclusion: It should be a required social responsibility for all psychiatrists and psychiatric associations to commit to raising awareness amongst political decision-makers as to the mental health consequences caused by armed conflicts, as part of their duty of care for people experiencing the consequences of war.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernardo Carpiniello, 2023. "The Mental Health Costs of Armed Conflicts—A Review of Systematic Reviews Conducted on Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and People Living in War Zones," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:2840-:d:1059019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lauren C Ng & Anne Stevenson & Sreeja S Kalapurakkel & Charlotte Hanlon & Soraya Seedat & Boniface Harerimana & Bonginkosi Chiliza & Karestan C Koenen, 2020. "National and regional prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(5), pages 1-30, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Abad, Ma. Antonette T. & Acacio, Mary Jane M. & Lampitoc, Angeline M. & Bosito Romel R. & Corpuz, Jessica C. & Galumba, John Bel K., 2024. "The Defender of the Nation: Experiences of the Philippine Army Personnel in Armed Conflicts," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(3s), pages 3541-3557, August.
    2. Compton, Ryan A. & Craig, Andrea N. & Heger, Dörte & Skogstad, Karl, 2024. "Origin country conflict and immigrant physical health," Ruhr Economic Papers 1068, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.

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