Determinants of mental health and wellbeing for young migrant populations: A scoping review

Young migrant populations experience increased prevalence of poor mental health/wellbeing. In addition, some groups including young women or refugees and unaccompanied asylum seeking children are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health and wellbeing. With one-quarter of worldwide migrants being under the age of 18, understanding the determinants of mental health/wellbeing is of importance to inform public health policy. Objectives: A scoping review was conducted to summarise existing knowledge on determinants of mental health/wellbeing of young migrant women and wider young migrants. This work aimed to scope the amount and quality of available literature that aimed to understand the determinants of mental health and wellbeing of young migrant populations, and in particular young migrant women. The objectives of the scoping work also included understanding the extent of research conducted in the UK in order to assess evidence for supporting young migrant populations in their mental health and wellbeing through existing public health and other non-NHS services. Methods: A scoping review in accordance with PRISMA-SC covered eight databases using key search terms for young migrant populations (aged 4-24). Articles that considered mental health needs and well-being were included alongside search terms for young women as a particular vulnerable group of interest. Peer-reviewed and grey literature articles in English, from high-income countries of European values published from 2000 to the present day were considered where they assessed determinants of mental health and/or wellbeing. Data were extracted and synthesised thematically and reported in a narrative style. Two lived experience advisors commented on the initial synthesis with their reflections included in the final narrative. Findings: Twenty-one articles identified determinants of mental health/wellbeing in adolescent migrant populations with only two directly relevant to young migrant women. The literature presented inconsistent migratory effects on mental health/wellbeing with many studies reporting disparities between native born and migrant populations whilst others supporting a migrant paradox (no difference or notably better mental health/wellbeing). Determinants important to young migrant women included: school support/performance and belonging, cultural distance, family functioning and discrimination. Key determinants of mental health/wellbeing for all young migrant populations were synthesised in two categories: protective determinants (e.g. good self-esteem, family support); determinants associated with poor mental health/wellbeing (bullying, post-migration stress). Further determinants associated with vulnerable groups including young migrant women and forced migrant populations (trauma, insecurity and discrimination) were summarised. Interpretation: The literature identified detailed many determinants of mental health and wellbeing that could inform policies to support adolescent migrant mental health. However, the literature available to support the mental health and wellbeing of young migrant women as a particular at risk group was sparse. The available literature was typified by contradictory findings possibly as a result of the importance of context (e.g. country-specific contexts or cultural context of migrants) playing a role in these differences.