Addressing Mental Health Concerns of Migrant Women Using Psychological Interventions: A Scoping Review

Women constitute nearly half of the world's migrants and forcibly displaced population, facing disproportionate levels of persecution, violence and human rights violations. The aim was to identify and critically analyse the nature of psychological interventions and their components for addressing mental health concerns of women migrants and asylum seekers. This review included pre-post feasibility/pilot studies, community and individual case studies, and Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs]) elucidating interventions addressing mental health concerns of women migrants and asylum seekers above the age of 18 years, published in peer-reviewed journals between January 2003 and November 2023 in English. Systematic search was conducted across four databases by two reviewers and predefined extraction template was used for charting data. Twenty-four studies were selected out of 1568 screened studies. Interventions were supportive and treatment-oriented to help women who migrated due to violence and political instability. They were delivered by mental health professionals in a group or individual format, lasting for eight-to-twelve sessions. Theoretical models used were cognitive-behavioural, arts-based, trauma-focused, family-focused, and strengths-based perspectives. Major components of interventions included psychoeducation, coping strategies, working with cognitions, emotions, and exposure. These interventions were culturally-adapted with strategies specifically designed for women refugees and asylum-seekers. Critical gaps were identified and recommendations include more representation of lived experiences of migrant women, highlighting process of psychotherapy, and thrust for therapist well-being. This review identifies gaps in literature including limited large-scale studies, geographic diversity, and qualitative process data. The findings of the review recommend culturally adapted, resilience-focused interventions with a long-term follow-up.