Mental Health of the Roma Population in Spain: A Scoping Review

The Roma population in Spain faces multiple known risk factors and shows indicators of a worse mental health status than the general population. A few studies consider them a vulnerable population and found higher rates of mental health issues. This review aims to analyze the mental health status of the Roma population in Spain through existing literature. As a secondary objective, we have considered studying the degree of development of this research field in the Spanish context.

Due to the lack of clarity about the availability and quality of the existing information, a scoping review on the mental health status of the Roma population in Spain was performed. The databases included Medline, PsycInfo, Google Scholar, and Dialnet, covering the period 1993-2023. Experimental or quasi-experimental studies and observational studies, cohort studies, case-controls, cross-sectional studies, and case series were selected using PRISMA methodology. The results were analyzed from inductive thematic categorization.

Higher rates of depression and anxiety have been reported in Roma Spanish people, while drug and alcohol use might be increased in Roma men. The study of other psychiatric and psychological conditions is limited and biased. Some protective sociocultural factors have also been described such as ethnic identity, community self-esteem, or social organization based on the extended family. The research methodologies applied are heterogeneous in approach and sampling and deficient in experimental studies. The variability in topics and study designs makes the results neither replicable nor comparable.

The mental health of the Spanish Roma population has been scarcely and vaguely studied. Preliminary research points at a worse mental health state in some areas but the field needs further development. There is also a lack of quality and standardization in the studies, and there is also a need for greater involvement of the Roma community itself. Research on the mental health of the Roma population in Spain should be perceived as a necessity and an opportunity for managers and professionals of health services and social services.