To identify the factors affecting refugees and asylum seekers mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A narrative review of available international research literature from January 2020 to June 2021 was conducted to identify these factors.
Results
Seven factors were identified: pre-existing physical health vulnerabilities, pre-existing mental health vulnerabilities, environmental, social, cultural-specific, economic and legal/welfare challenges.
Conclusion
Multiple interacting bio-psycho-socio-economic-cultural-ecological factors lead to greater impact of COVID-19 pandemic on refugee and asylum seekers wellbeing than the general population.
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