Authors: Sherifat Oduola; Jennifer Dykxhoorn · Research
How Does Family Separation Impact Mental Health in Refugee Families?
Research reveals how administrative delays and family separation during asylum-seeking can severely impact refugee mental health
Source: Oduola, S., & Dykxhoorn, J. (2022). Triple trauma, double uncertainty, and a singular imperative to address the mental health crises within asylum-seekers and refugees system: a commentary on Hvidtfeldt et al. (2021). Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 57(10), 2157-2159. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02318-7
What you need to know
- Refugees often experience three layers of trauma: in their home country, during their journey, and while resettling
- Administrative delays in asylum processing and family reunification can significantly harm mental health
- Support systems and timely processing are crucial for protecting refugee mental health
The Triple Burden of Trauma
Imagine being forced to leave everything you know behind - your home, your community, and sometimes even your family. This is the reality for millions of people seeking refuge around the world. The journey of a refugee isn’t just one difficult experience, but rather a series of potentially traumatic events that can compound over time.
Understanding the Layers of Trauma
Refugees typically face what mental health professionals call “triple trauma.” The first layer occurs in their home country - experiences of war, persecution, or violence that force them to flee. The second layer comes during their journey to safety, which can involve dangerous travel conditions, stays in refugee camps, and separation from loved ones. The third layer emerges during resettlement, as they navigate unfamiliar systems, face social isolation, and deal with uncertainty about their future.
The Impact of Administrative Delays
Research shows that lengthy waiting periods for asylum decisions and family reunification can create what experts call “double uncertainty” - uncertainty about both their legal status and when they might see their families again. A study of over 6,000 refugee fathers in Denmark revealed that longer separation from their families led to increased risk of mental health problems. Even after families were reunited, the psychological impact of this separation often persisted.
Building Better Support Systems
The good news is that there are clear ways to improve this situation. Host countries can implement more efficient processing systems for asylum claims and family reunification requests. Providing access to culturally appropriate mental health care and creating opportunities for social connection can help buffer against the psychological impacts of displacement and separation.
What This Means for You
If you work with refugee communities or want to support them:
- Advocate for faster processing of asylum claims and family reunification
- Help connect refugees with mental health resources in their community
- Support organizations that help refugees build social networks
- Understand that the impact of separation and uncertainty can persist even after reunification
- Remember that small acts of welcome and inclusion can make a significant difference
Conclusions
- The mental health impacts of forced displacement are complex and multi-layered
- Administrative systems and policies can either help or harm refugee mental health
- Supporting refugee mental health requires both system-level changes and community support