Resilience and its association with mental health among forcibly displaced populations : A systematic review and meta-analyses

Background

Forcibly displaced populations are growing exponentially and are at increased risk of experiencing mental health difficulties. However, it remains unclear if, and how, their resilience and mental health are associated. This systematic review and meta-analyses investigated the relationship between resilience and mental health outcomes among forcibly displaced groups.

Methods

MEDLINE Ultimate, APA PsycInfo and SCOPUS were searched up until January 2024. Peer-reviewed studies measuring a statistical association between resilience and mental health among forced migrants were eligible for inclusion. Random-effects meta-analyses for each identified mental health category were conducted. Study quality was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies.

Results

Thirty-one studies were included in the review (n = 6656). Meta-analyses revealed a significant negative association between resilience and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (k = 13, n = 2446, r = −0.15, 95 % CI [−0.23; −0.06]), depression (k = 14; n = 2952, r = −0.34, 95 % CI [−0.41; −0.26]), anxiety (k = 7, n = 1516, r = −0.19, 95 % CI [−0.27; −0.11]), and psychological distress (k = 10; n = 2712, r = −0.29, 95 % CI [−0.36; −0.23]).

Limitations

Effect sizes were highly heterogenous, most studies recruited small samples using non-random sampling strategies, and data was collected cross-sectionally.

Conclusions

Our findings point to an association between resilience and mental health difficulties in forcibly displaced groups. Directions for future research are discussed.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO (CRD42023395925).