EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH DATA INSIGHTS
Review Article
Nov 06, 2026 3 1

Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review

Bartholomew Ndulue 1,
Tamunomiebi Douglas 2,
Evelyn Foster-Pagaebi 3 *
1 Department of Health Science, Torrens University, Sydney, Australia2 Department of Program/Management, Real Talks Concepts, Abuja, Nigeria3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, Nigeria* Corresponding Author
Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 2(5), 2026, ehdi064, https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858
Publication date: Nov 06, 2026
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ABSTRACT

Background: The mental health of asylum seekers is a growing international health concern in the 21st century, especially in high-income countries like Australia, where migration policies can influence health outcomes. Accumulated stressors expose asylum seekers to risks before, during, and after migration, increasing their vulnerability to mental health disorders. However, evidence specific to the Australian context remains limited. This study aims to systematically review and critically evaluate existing evidence on the psychological well-being of asylum seekers in Australia.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Multiple electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched for studies published between 2010 and 2025. The PECO framework was used to assess the eligibility of the included studies, focusing on asylum seekers in Australia with records of mental health outcomes. A standard tool was used to extract and synthesize available evidence, and the methodological quality of studies was assessed using established appraisal tools.
Results and Discussion: A total of 2,150 records were identified, and 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence revealed that mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were commonly associated with asylum seekers. Pre-migration trauma was closely linked to psychological distress, as were immigration detention, visa insecurity, and social isolation post-migration stressors. Long-term incarceration was associated with severe mental health decline, including self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Inadequate access to culturally competent mental health services also emerged as a major issue.
Conclusion: The findings show that psychological distress among asylum seekers in Australia is caused by both personal trauma and structural issues. Policy changes to reduce detention and improve visa stability, along with increased access to trauma-informed care, are essential. Future research should include long-term studies and intervention research to build better evidence- based outcomes.

KEYWORDS

Mental Health Psychological Well-Being Immigration Detention Asylum Seekers Australia

CITATION (Vancouver)

Ndulue B, Douglas T, Foster-Pagaebi E. Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights. 2026;2(5):ehdi064. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858
APA
Ndulue, B., Douglas, T., & Foster-Pagaebi, E. (2026). Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 2(5), ehdi064. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858
Harvard
Ndulue, B., Douglas, T., and Foster-Pagaebi, E. (2026). Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, 2(5), ehdi064. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858
AMA
Ndulue B, Douglas T, Foster-Pagaebi E. Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review. Epidemiology and Health Data Insights. 2026;2(5), ehdi064. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858
Chicago
Ndulue, Bartholomew, Tamunomiebi Douglas, and Evelyn Foster-Pagaebi. "Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review". Epidemiology and Health Data Insights 2026 2 no. 5 (2026): ehdi064. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858
MLA
Ndulue, Bartholomew et al. "Psychological Well-Being and Mental Health Challenges Among Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review". Epidemiology and Health Data Insights, vol. 2, no. 5, 2026, ehdi064. https://doi.org/10.63946/ehdi/19858

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