Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
Volume 28, Issue 5, 2019, Pages 489-494

The culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees: A systematic review (Review) (Open Access)

Tay A.K.* , Riley A. , Islam R. , Welton-Mitchell C. , Duchesne B. , Waters V. , Varner A. , Moussa B. , Mahmudul Alam A.N.M. , Elshazly M.A. , Silove D. , Ventevogel P.
  • a School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Academic Mental Health Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
  • b Independent Consultant
  • c Independent Consultant
  • d Institute of Behavioural Science, University of Colorado, Boulder, United States, Environmental and Occupational Health, Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, United States
  • e Independent Consultant
  • f Danish Refugee Council, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
  • g World Concern, Seattle, WA, United States
  • h School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Academic Mental Health Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
  • i Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Team, Public Health and Nutrition Unit, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
  • j Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Team, Public Health and Nutrition Unit, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
  • k School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Academic Mental Health Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia
  • l Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

Aims Despite the magnitude and protracted nature of the Rohingya refugee situation, there is limited information on the culture, mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of this group. This paper, drawing on a report commissioned by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of the literature on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Rohingya refugees, including an examination of associated cultural factors. The ultimate objective is to assist humanitarian actors and agencies in providing culturally relevant Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) for Rohingya refugees displaced to Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries.Methods We conducted a systematic search across multiple sources of information with reference to the contextual, social, economic, cultural, mental health and health-related factors amongst Rohingya refugees living in the Asia-Pacific and other regions. The search covered online databases of diverse disciplines (e.g. medicine, psychology, anthropology), grey literature, as well as unpublished reports from non-profit organisations and United Nations agencies published until 2018.Results The legacy of prolonged exposure to conflict and persecution compounded by protracted conditions of deprivations and displacement is likely to increase the refugees' vulnerability to wide array of mental health problems including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation. High rates of sexual and gender-based violence, lack of privacy and safe spaces and limited access to integrated psychosocial and mental health support remain issues of concern within the emergency operation in Bangladesh. Another challenge is the limited understanding amongst the MHPSS personnel in Bangladesh and elsewhere of the language, culture and help-seeking behaviour of Rohingya refugees. While the Rohingya language has a considerable vocabulary for emotional and behavioural problems, there is limited correspondence between these Rohingya terms and western concepts of mental disorders. This hampers the provision of culturally sensitive and contextually relevant MHPSS services to these refugees.Conclusions The knowledge about the culture, context, migration history, idioms of distress, help-seeking behaviour and traditional healing methods, obtained from diverse sources can be applied in the design and delivery of culturally appropriate interventions. Attention to past exposure to traumatic events and losses need to be paired with attention for ongoing stressors and issues related to worries about the future. It is important to design MHPSS interventions in ways that mobilise the individual and collective strengths of Rohingya refugees and build on their resilience. © 2019 Cambridge University Press.

Author Keywords

Stress stressful life events post traumatic stress disorder trauma

Index Keywords

vulnerable population cultural anthropology depression social psychology refugee anxiety disorder mental health human epidemiology Refugees language ability Asia war Stress, Psychological social aspect mental stress ethnology psychosocial care cultural sensitivity quality of life Humans psychology traditional medicine gender bias Review socioeconomics Armed Conflicts Myanmar cultural factor emotional stress suicidal behavior help seeking behavior posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic psychological well-being Culturally Competent Care Bangladesh Psychological Trauma transcultural care Rohingya (people) sexual violence disease severity psychotrauma disease association systematic review non profit organization health care delivery Culture suicidal ideation
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065309444&doi=10.1017%2fS2045796019000192&partnerID=40&md5=e9bc0c3b732be8881071580964edb910
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796019000192
ISSN: 20457960
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English