International Psychogeriatrics
Volume 28, Issue 6, 2016, Pages 889-896

The impact of forced migration on the mental health of the elderly: A scoping review (Review)

Virgincar A. , Doherty S. , Siriwardhana C.*
  • a King's College London, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, London, SE1 1UL, United Kingdom
  • b Global Public Health, Migration and Ethics Research Group, Faculty of Medical Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
  • c Global Public Health, Migration and Ethics Research Group, Faculty of Medical Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: The worldwide elderly population fraction is increasing, with the greatest rise in developing countries. Older adults affected by conflict and forced migration mainly taking place in developing countries may be particularly vulnerable to poor mental health due to other age-specific risk factors. This review aims to explore global evidence on the effect of conflict-induced forced migration on the mental health of older adults. Methods: Seven bibliographic databases were searched. The title and abstract of 797 results were reviewed for qualitative and quantitative studies meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Six studies were selected for the in-depth review. Five papers assessed mental health in older adult populations displaced as refugees. One paper assessed mental health of older adults with varying immigration status. Conclusions: This review highlights the dearth of evidence about the impact of forced migration on the mental health of older adults. Further research is needed to explore the risk factors and processes that contribute to adverse mental health outcomes among older adult populations. This is essential to the development of interventions for this vulnerable and at-risk population, particularly in resource-poor settings. © 2016 International Psychogeriatric Association.

Author Keywords

Mental health Elderly Forced migration

Index Keywords

refugee developing country quantitative study mental health immigration Developing Countries Life Change Events human Refugees life event bibliographic database Aged Humans psychology risk factor adult human experiment migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Emigration and Immigration public health

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84959453057&doi=10.1017%2fS1041610216000193&partnerID=40&md5=a3a84f71dfb9caa96d63efac6ae84105

DOI: 10.1017/S1041610216000193
ISSN: 10416102
Cited by: 6
Original Language: English