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Are peer-to-peer psychological interventions effective for refugees’ mental health and wellbeing? A systematic review

Megan Burkinshaw,Matthew Wilcockson

Published 2025 in International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care

ABSTRACT

Barriers to accessing healthcare exist for refugees, suggesting the need for culturally appropriate interventions such as peer-delivered treatment. There is limited research regarding the effectiveness of peer-led interventions, thus this systematic review aims to investigate whether peer-to-peer psychological interventions improve trauma-related outcomes, common mental health problems, and functioning and wellbeing for refugees in resettled countries. This review therefore will allow for a greater understanding of the efficacy of peer-led interventions through systematically reviewing the available quantitative findings. A PRISMA protocol was followed to conduct a systematic review. Four databases were searched (PsychINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Web of Science) for peer-reviewed research studies published in English from 2012–2022. Studies were included if they had a focus on peer-to-peer interventions targeting refugee mental health in resettled countries. Of an initial 732 studies retrieved, 10 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Results indicated that peer-to-peer interventions improved posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. Equally, some results were suggestive of improving functioning and wellbeing. This review showed the evidence has generally supported the use of peer-delivered interventions for refugees in resettled countries. Thus, the results of this review indicate that peer-to-peer interventions could be offered within clinical practice to support and improve mental health, functioning and wellbeing.

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