Systematic review of factors associated with quality of life of asylum seekers and refugees in high-income countries
Open accessAbstract
The stressful experiences that many asylum seekers and refugees (AS&R) are exposed to during forced migration, and during resettlement in host countries, can have a profound impact on their mental health. Comparatively less research attention has been allocated to exploring other indices of quality of life (QoL) in AS&R populations. This review aimed to (i) synthesize the predictors and correlates of QoL of AS&R populations in high-income countries, and (ii) to identify the methodological strengths and weaknesses of this body of research. Fourteen databases were systematically searched (Medline, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Health Technology Assessment, National Health Service Economic Evaluation, Educational Resource Index and Abstracts, BiblioMap, Scopus, Social Sciences Citation Index, Evidence Aid, DARE, Web of Science and PubMed). Eligibility criteria included: adults seeking asylum or refuge in a high-income country, primary quantitative data, the use of a measure based on the WHO’s definition of QoL, published in a peer-reviewed journal. A narrative synthesis approach was used, and the quality was assessed using the AXIS tool for cross-sectional studies and the CASP tool for longitudinal studies. Of the 13.656 papers identified, 23 met the eligibility criteria. A wide range of factors were found to have significant associations with QoL. Both positive and negative correlates of QoL were largely dominated by social (e.g. social networks) and mental health factors (e.g. depression). Although all of the cross-sectional studies met over half of the quality criteria, only 12 met 75% or more of these criteria. For the longitudinal studies, for all but one study lacked statistical precision and the results cannot be applied to the local population. Key findings across the various forms of QoL (overall, physical, psychological, social and environmental) were that having established social networks and social integration were associated with higher QoL, whereas having mental disorders (i.e. PTSD or depression) was strongly associated with reduced QoL. More research is needed into physical and environmental predictors and correlates of QoL. The findings of the review can be used to inform policies and interventions aimed at supporting AS&R and promoting the integration and wellbeing of these populations.
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There is relatively little research consideration for investigating other indices of mental health such as quality of life in unaccompanied minors.
“there is relatively little research consideration for investigating other indices of MH such as quality of life (QoL) in UM which may be a driving factor contributing further to mental health symptom presentation [32].”
From Examining cognitive behavioral therapy interventions for unaccompanied minors: a systematic review and qualitative research synthesis. (2025) · cites this paper as [32]
The Abstract says comparatively less research attention has been given to quality of life in asylum-seeker and refugee populations. But the Methods (Eligibility; no page number available) specify that the review included adults, so it does not establish the same research gap specifically for unaccompanied minors. The cited passages also do not establish that limited QoL research contributes to mental-health symptoms. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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“However, a proportion of individuals do not develop mental health disorders, though their psychological wellbeing may still be affected (Giacco et al., 2018; Giacco & Priebe, 2018; Priebe et al., 2016; Van der Boor et al., 2020).”
BackgroundSelf-citationPredicting PTSD with machine learning: Forecasting refugees’ trauma and tailored intervention
Figueiredo, S., & Ndiaye, L. (2025) · European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2025.100502 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Salutogenic and Pathogenic Factors Among Young Adult Refugees in Germany: An Exploratory Study
Laufer, A., Böttche, M., Walg, M., Khatib, A., Maoz‐Dotan, C., Hassan, H., & Finkelstein, M. (2021) · Journal of Refugee Studies · doi:10.1093/jrs/feab110 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Kasaudhan, S., Saraswathy, K. N., & Chaudhary, V. (2024) · Discover Social Science and Health · doi:10.1007/s44155-024-00085-1 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Morroni, D., Konstantinou, P., Gkleka, C., Kassianos, A. P., & Karekla, M. (2025) · European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry · doi:10.1007/s00787-024-02500-z · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Якість життя населення, яке постраждало від військових дій
Bielikova, N., Іndykа, S., Tsos, А., & Vashchuk, L. (2022) · Physical education sport and health culture in modern society · doi:10.29038/2220-7481-2022-01-03-09 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Health Related Quality of life Amongst Refugees: A meta Analysis of Studies Using the SF-36
Essex, R., Govintharjah, P., Issa, R., Kalocsányiová, E., Lakika, D. M., Markowski, M., Smith, J., & Thompson, T. (2024) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-024-01615-4 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Mahmoodi, Z., Bahrami, G., Ghavidel, N., & Seddighi, H. (2023) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-022-04502-0 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“These findings extend to studies [21, 34, 36], confirming that those affected by anxiety and depression had unfavourable QOL.”
BackgroundResultMattelin, E., Khanolkar, A. R., Andersson, J., Kutabi, H., & Korhonen, L. (2025) · Comprehensive Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152571 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Psychological distress among Afghan refugees in Norway as a function of their integration
Larios, D. B., Sam, D. L., & Sandal, G. M. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1143681 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Social Support and Resilience: Impact on Mental Health
Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-34078-9_3 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Walg, M., Khatib, A., Laufer, A., Böttche, M., Maoz‐Dotan, C., Hassan, H., Hapfelmeier, G., & Finkelstein, M. (2024) · Stress and Health · doi:10.1002/smi.3378 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Emery, E., Maju, M., Coursey, K., Brandt, C., Ko, J. S., Hampton, K., & Richards, A. (2021) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-021-01324-2 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Anwar, A., Kurt, G., Yadav, U. N., Huda, M. N., Ghimire, S., Bhattacharjee, S., Arora, A., Ali, A. M., Mondal, P. K., Rizwan, A. A. M., et al. (2025) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-025-06227-7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“These issues, along with weak social integration and fragile social networks [17, 18], often undermine their QOL [19, 20], particularly among vulnerable sub-groups like older adults, who face additional risks from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) [21], functional immobility [22], and inadequate…”
Mahadevan, R., & Jayasinghe, M. S. (2022) · Journal of Social Policy · doi:10.1017/s0047279422000435 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
van der Boor, C., Christiansen, P., Anand, P., & White, R. G. (2022) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-022-12866-x · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“not a recent phenomenon, research into its impact on wellbeing and quality of life remains relatively sparse [2, 3].”
BackgroundSelf-citationGarbade, M., Kappler, S., Eglinsky, J., Kindler, H., Rosner, R., Sachser, C., & Pfeiffer, E. (2025) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-025-06975-1 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Asylum seeker trauma in a student-run clinic: reducing barriers to forensic medical evaluations
Gallagher, A., Steiner, G., Michel, M., Gonzales, C. N., Mendez-Contreras, S., Lu, A. C., Armendariz, M., DeFries, T., Barakat, S., & Kivlahan, C. (2022) · Torture Journal · doi:10.7146/torture.v32i3.130227 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Four of every five clients received a diagnosis of PTSD, which is in the higher range of prevalence rates reported by other studies of refugees and asylum seekers (Blackmore et al., 2020; Hameed et al., 2018; van der Boor et al., 2020).”
ResultChen, W., Shiu, C. A., Arbing, R. H. A., Myint, K. M., Oo, K. M., Lai, S.-S., Tanoko, D., Oung, S., Yamada, P., Moolphate, S., et al. (2024) · Journal of Migration and Health · doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100259 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Roblain, A., Mazzola, A., & Politi, E. (2025) · Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies · doi:10.1080/1369183x.2025.2487744 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“These findings not only reaffirm existing research that highlights the critical role of social support in the life experiences of asylum seekers (van der Boor et al. 2020) but also expand on them.”
Roth, M., Lahti, M., Gustafsson, N., Berg, J., Kaitala, E., & Kuosmanen, L. (2022) · Perspectives In Psychiatric Care · doi:10.1111/ppc.13096 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Good mental health is associated with quality of life (Van Der Boor et al., 2020) and is also pivotal for immigrants' successful integration (European Observatory for Health Systems and Policies, 2011).”
BackgroundElnour, S. M. B., Saeed, N. Y. O. M., Osman, A. B. M., Hassan, A. A., Mustafa, E. M. N. H. A., Hamadto, R. A. S., Mohamed, M. T. A., Osman, A. A. M. A., Ahmed, A. A. M., & Eltaib, J. A. H. (2024) · Journal of Biosciences and Medicines · doi:10.4236/jbm.2024.124003 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Grochtdreis, T., König, H., & Dams, J. (2024) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-024-19489-4 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Mohammadifirouzeh, M., Oh, K. M., Basnyat, I., Gimm, G. W., & Snyder, B. L. (2025) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2025.151882 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Veronese, G., Fiscone, C., & Vigliaroni, M. (2025) · International Journal of Mental Health · doi:10.1080/00207411.2025.2547992 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…structural and environmental deter-minants—such as employment, housing, and acculturation stress—as primary influences on refugee well-being (van der Boor et al., 2020), our study extends these perspectives by empirically positioning subjective well-being (as captured through PERMA…”
Monitoring of the life quality of population in Europe and Ukraine in the war conditions
Заблодська, І. В., Rohozian, Y., Blyzniuk, V., Вартанова, О. В., & Derzhak, N. (2023) · Revista Amazonia Investiga · doi:10.34069/ai/2023.61.01.9 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Quality of life of Venezuelan migrants in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farias, I. F., Trajman, A., Nadanovsky, P., Ribeiro, M., & Faerstein, E. (2024) · PubMed Central · doi:10.1590/0102-311xen147423 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…indicator of migrants’ integration in the host country, with several physical, psychological, social, and environmental predictors that can negatively affect their perception, such as feeling discriminated, difficulty in accessing health services, unemployment, and weak social network 9,10 .”
BackgroundWood, J. M., Denniss, E., Lindberg, R., Booth, A., & Margerison, C. (2025) · Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2025.06.005 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Measurement of the Concentration of Potential Quality of Life in Local Communities
Tomaš, R. (2022) · Social Indicators Research · doi:10.1007/s11205-022-02895-9 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Prasetyo, Y. B., Faridi, F., Masruroh, N. L., Melizza, N., & Safitri, S. S. (2023) · Jurnal Keperawatan Padjadjaran · doi:10.24198/jkp.v11i1.2168 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“According to some previous research (Harrop et al., 2020; O’Neill et al., 2021; Van Der Boor et al., 2020), the psychological pressure experienced due to economic demands during the pandemic increased mental and spiritual stress, so that an emotional and spiritual approach was needed.”
Kim, M., Shin, C., & Lee, J. H. (2025) · Counselling Psychology Quarterly · doi:10.1080/09515070.2025.2587032 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Challenges in cochlear implant care for patients with migration backgrounds: Evaluating (Hr)QoL
Thyson, S., Kahl, K. G., Werminghaus, M., & Klenzner, T. (2026) · Journal of Migration and Health · doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100396 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“There is an increased need for research on the QoL and HrQoL of individuals with a MB and hearing disorders (Nesterko et al., 2013; van der Boor et al., 2020; Fan et al., 2024).”
Pinzón-Espinosa, J., Erausquin, J. T., Millender, E., Rincon, T., Talavero, G. C., Franco‐Paredes, C., Cardoner, N., Hall, C. D. X., Wong, F. Y., Wang, L., et al. (2026) · Journal of Migration and Health · doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2026.100405 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“In addition, among migrant children and adolescents who were resettled in high-income countries, rates of being at-risk for suicide were similar to our findings (Fazel et al. 2012; van der Boor et al., 2020).”
TATLICIOĞLU, O., Hıdır, A. P. A. K., Apak, E., & Sever, M. (2023) · Opus uluslararası toplum araştırmaları dergisi · doi:10.26466/opusjsr.1341112 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Acılar, A. (2024) · Advances in media, entertainment and the arts (AMEA) book series · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-0855-4.ch016 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Hıdır, A. P. A. K., Yi̇ği̇talp, G., & TATLICIOĞLU, O. (2024) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1007/s10389-024-02220-3 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“In another study, it was reported that asylum-seekers and refugees with physical and psychological problems had a lower quality of life (van der Boor et al. 2020).”
van der Boor, C., Taban, D., Ismail, K., Simon, J., Roberts, B., Fuhr, D. C., Tol, W. A., & Greco, G. (2024) · Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes · doi:10.1186/s41687-024-00720-0 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Mohammadifirouzeh, M., Oh, K. M., Basnyat, I., & Gimm, G. W. (2024) · Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services · doi:10.3928/02793695-20240712-02 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Миграционные потоки: транскультуральные аспекты психического здоровья (обзор зарубежной литературы)
Bokhan, N. A., Куприянова, И. Е., Дашиева, Б. А., & Эрнстовна, П. О. (2023) · Сибирский вестник психиатрии и наркологии · doi:10.26617/1810-3111-2023-2(119)-78-85
Migrantes en Palermo: una mirada etnográfica a su situación social y sanitaria
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Latin American Asylum Seekers in Spain: Acculturation Preferences and Related Psychosocial Variables
Navas, M., Sánchez‐Castelló, M., Meneghini, A. M., Fernández, P. P., & Tejada, A. J. R. (2026) · International Review of Social Psychology · doi:10.5334/irsp.1113
Milena, S., Marko, L. M., Latas, M. B., Marija, M., Milic, M., Darija, K., & Pavlović, Z. (2026) · Psychiatry International · doi:10.3390/psychiatryint7030132
“A systematic review by van der Boor demonstrated that depressive symptoms strongly reduced HQoL among refugees, whereas social networks and social integration were linked to better quality of life [19].”
Sainz‐Elías, H., Giné-Vázquez, I., Butt, F. M. A., Ahmed, W. A., Bayes‐Marin, I., Lloret-Pineda, A., Franch-Roca, M., Mellor-Marsá, B., Gabarrell‐Pascuet, A., Villalobos, F., et al. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1848469
“Consistent evidence indicates that poorer QoL is associated with higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression, although the direction of this relationship remains uncertain (Van der Boor et al., 2020).”
Mental health outcomes and associated factors among Myanmar refugees: systematic review
Chit, M., Mayeden, S. Y., Hoffmann, I., Louis, V. R., Wilson, M. L., Horstick, O., Dambach, P., & Deckert, A. (2026) · BJPsych Open · doi:10.1192/bjo.2026.12080
“22,23 Anxiety, depression, PTSD and emotional distress are common mental disorders observed within refugee communities.”
- Authors
- van der Boor, C. F., Amos, R., Nevitt, S., Dowrick, C., & White, R. G.
- Affiliations
- University of Liverpool (GB)
- Corresponding author
- White, Ross G.
- Venue
- Conflict and Health
- Published
- 2020-07-20
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 48-48
- ISSN
- 1752-1505 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7370437
- OpenAlex
- W3042521244
- Cited by
- 68
- References
- 55
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 2
- FWCI
- 0.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Conflict and Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Birmingham Research Portal (University of Birmingham) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
- LSHTM Research Online (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine) (acceptedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- Funders
- Economic and Social Research Council (ES/S000976/1)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Health › Migration, Racism, and Human Rights
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration, Refugees, and Integration
- Keywords
- asylum seekers, refugees, quality of life, forced migration, social networks, social integration, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, mental health, resettlement, predictors of quality of life, high-income countries
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