Mental health issues of children and young people displaced by conflict: A scoping review

Abstract

This research is a scoping review aimed at identifying evidence and studies that address the mental health issues of children and young people forcibly displaced by conflict. It also examines mental health interventions for this population and factors that either favor or worsen their mental health. This issue a major public health issue due to increasing global conflicts that results in the continuous displacement of large populations and the development of new communities where children and young people struggle to re-integrate. This sub-population represents a hidden and at-risk group often not prioritized in planning health interventions for displaced populations. The objective was to identify mental health issues faced by children and young people forcibly displaced by conflict, examine available mental health interventions for this population, and identify factors that favor or worsen their mental health.Four databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ProQuest) were systematically searched for published evidence. Additionally, the King’s Fund Library, OpenGrey, DANS data archive, APA website, and WHO were searched for gray literature. After applying strict selection criteria, 27 studies were chosen for a full-text review out of the initially identified 4,548 studies. This review identified depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety as the major mental health issues in this population. Other issues included somatic disorders, sleep disturbances, nightmares, encopresis, and substance abuse. These disorders, when left untreated, did not diminish over time post-displacement. Mental health was positively influenced by mental health services and religious activities. Negative factors included prior trauma, female sex, poverty, child abuse, parental violence, and separation. Several psychotherapy interventions were found to be effective. In conclusion mental health issues among forcibly displaced children and young people are prevalent and troubling, yet empirical evidence is insufficient. Further research is needed, especially among internally displaced children and youth.