The psychological impact of spending a prolonged time awaiting asylum

Background and objectives: In the last decade, Europe has witnessed a substantial increase in asylum applications, resulting in a growing backlog of cases. The prolonged wait has been associated with elevated risks of mental disorders, diminished psychological well-being, and reduced quality of life. Existing systematic reviews focus on multiple post-migration factors; however, delay was identified as a key contributor to poor mental health and decreased emotional wellbeing. Our review focuses on this factor and builds on existing literature.Methods: We conducted a systematic review and narrative synthesis focusing on the impact of extended waiting periods on the mental health of asylum seekers. Searches were conducted on MEDLINE and PsycINFO, resulting in a total of sixteen studies. These studies were qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods designs, all focusing on the duration of the asylum process and its effects on mental well-being. The overall quality of these studies ranged from adequate to low.Results: Several adverse mental health outcomes associated with prolonged asylum waiting times were identified, including an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, and worsening of pre-existing mental illnesses. The extended wait exacerbated suicidal ideation due to frustration stemming from an inability to engage in meaningful activities, social isolation, and perceived discrimination from others. The ambiguity surrounding asylum procedures, caseworker reluctance to provide updates or clear timelines, and prolonged family separation also negatively impacted asylum seekers' mental health.Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of reforming current asylum procedures to create a more humane and efficient process that protects the mental health of asylum seekers.