Terrorism in the country of origin is linked to deterioration in the mental health of refugees

Abstract

Refugees flee their country of origin to escape threats to their existence. Yet, despite having left behind the immediate physical dangers in their country of origin, refugees may continue to experience negative psychological consequences of contemporary violence in that country because of their connection to it. Here, using longitudinal population data from Denmark, we show that refugees were substantially more likely to use antidepressants, and anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs in periods when their country of origin was more intensely afflicted by terrorism. The finding that contemporary terrorism in the home country is negatively associated with the mental health of refugees highlights the potential vulnerability of such groups and points to the need to identify the extended global consequences of terrorism.