Review of refugee mental health and wellbeing: Australian perspectives

This review was prepared as background for the preparation of an Australian Psychological Society (APS) position on refugees with assistance from the APS, but the review represents the views and summary opinions of the authors and does not constitute a formally endorsed APS position.

Abstract

This review covers refugee mental health and wellbeing within the Australian context to assist psychologists who provide services for, or who conduct research with, refugees. It provides a brief overview of the refugee movement, prior to examining evidence relating to the impacts of pre-displacement, displacement and resettlement factors on psychological adjustment in the resettlement phase, and the systemic and sociopolitical factors that influence the process of adaptation during resettlement. Australian findings suggest that mental health and wellbeing outcomes are influenced by a complexity of pre-displacement, displacement, resettlement and systemic factors; the detention or award of temporary residence to refugees who are already experiencing psychological distress on arrival are cases in point. Limitations of the findings are considered. More research into the combined, pathwise relations between the psychosocial pre-determinants and psychological sequelae of the refugee experience is required. Finally, suggestions for the development of practice, training and ethical guidelines are offered.

Key words:

• Asylum
• ethical issues
• ethnic and race issues
• mental health
• psychological disorders
• refugees
• social and cultural correlates
• social issues
• stereotyping – prejudice and discrimination

Notes

This review was prepared as background for the preparation of an Australian Psychological Society (APS) position on refugees with assistance from the APS, but the review represents the views and summary opinions of the authors and does not constitute a formally endorsed APS position.