Systematic review of factors associated with quality of life of asylum seekers and refugees in high-income countries

The stressful experiences that many asylum seekers and refugees (AS&R) are exposed to during forced migration, and during resettlement in host countries, can have a profound impact on their mental health. Comparatively less research attention has been allocated to exploring other indices of qual...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Conflict and health 2020-07, Vol.14 (1), p.1-48, Article 48
Main Authors: van der Boor, Catharina F, Amos, Rebekah, Nevitt, Sarah, Dowrick, Christopher, White, Ross G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asylum seekers
Citation analysis
Correlation
Correlation analysis
Criteria
Cross-sectional studies
Displaced persons
High income
Income
Integration
Local population
Longitudinal studies
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Meta-analysis
Migration
Populations
Post traumatic stress disorder
Quality assessment
Quality of life
Refugees
Resettlement
Review
Reviews
Social interactions
Social networks
Social organization
Social sciences
Statistics
Systematic review
Technology assessment
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Summary:The stressful experiences that many asylum seekers and refugees (AS&R) are exposed to during forced migration, and during resettlement in host countries, can have a profound impact on their mental health. Comparatively less research attention has been allocated to exploring other indices of quality of life (QoL) in AS&R populations. This review aimed to (i) synthesize the predictors and correlates of QoL of AS&R populations in high-income countries, and (ii) to identify the methodological strengths and weaknesses of this body of research. Fourteen databases were systematically searched (Medline, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Health Technology Assessment, National Health Service Economic Evaluation, Educational Resource Index and s, BiblioMap, Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index, Evidence Aid, DARE, Web of Science and PubMed). Eligibility criteria included: adults seeking asylum or refuge in a high-income country, primary quantitative data, the use of a measure based on the WHO's definition of QoL, published in a peer-reviewed journal. A narrative synthesis approach was used, and the quality was assessed using the AXIS tool for cross-sectional studies and the CASP tool for longitudinal studies. Of the 13.656 papers identified, 23 met the eligibility criteria. A wide range of factors were found to have significant associations with QoL. Both positive and negative correlates of QoL were largely dominated by social (e.g. social networks) and mental health factors (e.g. depression). Although all of the cross-sectional studies met over half of the quality criteria, only 12 met 75% or more of these criteria. For the longitudinal studies, for all but one study lacked statistical precision and the results cannot be applied to the local population. Key findings across the various forms of QoL (overall, physical, psychological, social and environmental) were that having established social networks and social integration were associated with higher QoL, whereas having mental disorders (i.e. PTSD or depression) was strongly associated with reduced QoL. More research is needed into physical and environmental predictors and correlates of QoL. The findings of the review can be used to inform policies and interventions aimed at supporting AS&R and promoting the integration and wellbeing of these populations. Keywords: Quality of life, Asylum seekers, Refugees, Migration
ISSN:1752-1505
1752-1505
DOI:10.1186/s13031-020-00292-y