The impact of immigration detention on children’s mental health: systematic review

Abstract

Background

There are 117.3 million people forcibly displaced because of war, conflict and natural disasters: 40% are children. With growing numbers, many high-income countries have adopted or are considering increasingly restrictive policies of immigration detention. Research on the impact of detention on mental health has focused on adults, although recent studies report on children.

Aims

To synthesise data on the impact of immigration detention on children’s mental health.

Method

Systematic searches were conducted in PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Embase databases and grey literature and studies assessed using PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO registration CRD42023369680). Included studies were quantitative, assessed children younger than 18 years who had been in immigration detention and reported mental health symptoms or diagnoses. Methodological quality was assessed using the Appraisal Tool for Cross-Sectional Studies. Meta-analyses estimated prevalence for major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Results

Twenty-one studies reported data on 9620 children. Most studies were cross-sectional, had small sample sizes and used convenience sampling. A profoundly detrimental impact on children’s mental health across a variety of countries and detention settings was demonstrated. Meta-analysis found pooled prevalence of 42.2% for depression [95% CI 22.9, 64.3] and 32.0% for PTSD [95% CI 19.4, 48.0]. Severity of mental health impact increased with exposure to indefinite or protracted held detention.

Conclusions

Immigration detention harms children. No period of detention can be deemed safe, as all immigration detention is associated with adverse impacts on mental health. Our review highlights the urgency of alternative immigration policies that end the practice of detaining children and families.