Identity and health perspectives in Southeast Asia, with assessment concerns

While this period of the modern age has seen the least amount of conflict and wars in history, there has been an increasing focus on the mental health and identity of refugees affected by conflicts and migration. Specifically, research has highlighted that refugees do not only have to cope with the severe stressors of war, but they also often face migration pressures, including marginalisation in new environments, acculturation issues, and socioeconomic problems (Eisenbruch, 1991; Porter & Haslam, 2005; Smeekes, Verkuyten, Çelebi, Acartürk, & Onkun, 2017), which negatively impact their well-being and mental health. Specifically, it is found that refugees often experience a wide variety of both physical and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, research indicates that there also are factors that can protect refugees’ mental health and well-being, such as a stronger sense of ethnic group belonging. While there is a growing body of research on some refugee groups (e.g., Syrian), there is a lack on those from Southeast Asia.