Mindfulness-based interventions for mental health in refugee and migrant populations: A scoping review

Background

The mental health of refugees and migrants is a critical concern, as they often endure high levels of trauma and stress resulting from war, displacement and the challenges associated with resettlement. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained significant traction for their efficacy in enhancing mental health, mitigating stress and promoting wellbeing among the refugee and migrant population.

Aim

This scoping review aimed to assess the existing evidence on MBIs for mental health in refugee and migrant populations, highlighting their effectiveness, benefits and implementation challenges.

Methods

Following the Levac et al. framework, the following databases were systematically searched: CINAHL, Cochrane Central, Emcare, Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, Google and Google Scholar—covering literature published between 2014 and 2024. Twenty-one studies were included in the final data extraction and thematic analysis, consisting of 13 qualitative studies, five quantitative studies, and three mixed-methods studies.

Results

Across various settings and countries, MBIs demonstrated significant benefits. In Israel, studies indicated that MBTR-R significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD (F = 12.44, η² = .17, p = .001), re-experiencing (F = 9.76, η² = .14), and hyperarousal (F = 23.93, η² = .29), increased self-compassion (.77 → .83) and decreased self-criticism (.47 → .39). In the United States, MTPC enhanced emotion regulation (β = −12.98, d = −.59), self-compassion (β = .50, d = .72), and self-efficacy (β = 2.03, d = .97). In Türkiye, the self-esteem of preschoolers increased from 25.63 to 40.89 (η² = .49). In Uganda, adolescents experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms by 10.72 points (p < .0001). In Australia, a community-based MBI led to a decrease in depression scores from 9.2 to 4.2 (z = −8.48). Collectively, this review's findings suggest that MBIs significantly improve the mental health of migrants and refugees. However, the effectiveness of MBIs implementation was hindered by limited resources, cultural and language barriers, insufficient facilitator training, and a lack of institutional support.

Conclusion

Despite implementation challenges, MBIs remain a promising and effective approach to mental health care for refugees and migrants. Future studies should focus on creating culturally appropriate interventions and assessing the long-term effects of MBIs on the mental health of displaced populations.