A systematic review of qualitative research on the physical and mental health impacts of immigration detention on asylum seekers and refugees.

ABSTRACT: Globally, the number of refugees and asylum seekers has reached unprecedented levels, prompting many host countries to adopt immigration detention as a strategy to deter unauthorised arrivals. While previous studies have largely used quantitative methods to examine the consequences of detention, this is the first qualitative systematic review synthesising evidence on the impact of immigration detention on the mental and physical health of adult and child asylum seekers and refugees (ASR) in middle- to high-income host countries. A systematic search of medical, allied health, and social science databases and grey literature was conducted between December 2021 and October 2024 (Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, Global Health, APA PsycARTICLES, Social Policy and Practice, Cochrane Libra

SUBMITTER: Sherif B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12571329 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature