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International Journal of
Population Studies Cultural identity and health risks in forced migration

widespread forms of violence, most of the research corpus how mind and matter interconnect under extraordinary
related to this issue addresses the immediate psychological duress. Displaced people coping with the chronic
effects of armed conflicts (Theisen-Womersley, 2021). pressures of relocation and recollection are at a higher
According to the WHO research, the frequency of common risk for coronary complications and cerebrovascular
mental illnesses in migrants and refugees is greater than diseases than the average population. In fact, recent
the occurrence of mental disorders in host populations. medical studies of Bosnian refugees living in the United
Examples of such illnesses include depression, anxiety, and States found that individuals who were still dealing with
posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People who seek traumatic memories or bouts of depression had higher
asylum are typically more likely to commit suicide (the rates of high blood pressure and heart problems than fellow
World Health Organization, 2021b). Emotional anguish Bosnians who had overcome such problems (Comtesse et
can increase when people and families flee their homes, al., 2019). The physiological pathways that link persistent
cultures, and communities in search of safety from the psychosocial burdens to declining physical wellness must
danger of violence and persecution (Miller & Rasmussen, be explored further to improve the identification and
2016). Difficulties encountered in the course of migration treatment of at-risk refugees and immigrants in their new
cause approximately one-third of displaced populations homelands.
to suffer from high anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which Scholars have also explored the interplay between
can exert a serious negative impact on their quality of life conflict, mental health, and migration in the Palestine–
(Marković et al., 2023). Refugees are particularly vulnerable Israel situation. Numerous forced relocations have
to mental health difficulties because they have to suffer occurred due to the prolonged Israeli–Palestinian
terrible experiences throughout the preparation and conflict, which has raged for more than seven decades.
transit phases of their journeys and confront significant The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 caused the
challenges as they resettle in a new nation. If left untreated, forced displacement of more than 700,000 Palestinians in
such mental strains can result in increased death rates from an event they labeled the Nakba, which the United Nations
suicides (Pouraghajan et al., 2023). Extant investigations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) designated as
have also examined whether intergroup interactions with signifying “catastrophe.” Palestinians continued to
people in host societies mitigated the detrimental effects face removals through subsequent battles such as the
on the mental health of refugees. 1967 6-Day War and other military operations, many of
The aforementioned studies have measured exposure which compelled them to live in overcrowded refugee
to traumatic ordeals such as witnessing brutality, enduring camps within and outside the territories, (Marshall, 2014).
the demise of close companions, and surviving catastrophes The absence of basic amenities and the cramped quarters
that occur frequently during coerced migrations. of such camps exacerbate the vulnerabilities of displaced
According to existing studies, intense anxiety, melancholy, populations. The Palestinian people have experienced
unease, and PTSD can emerge in the aftermath of such immense mental suffering due to prolonged violence and
events. Moreover, hopelessness and PTSD are notably displacement (Veronese et al., 2021). Researchers have
prevalent among displaced people. An investigation of conducted similar studies on the Russia–Ukraine war.
Syrian refugees in Greece revealed that 72% of the men Millions of Ukrainians had no choice but to abandon
and 45% of the women suffered from PTSD (Theofanidis their homes and seek refuge from the bombardment.
et al., 2022). Other research initiatives have found that The continued violence also wrought untold loss of life
variables such as social support networks can mitigate the and inflicted deep psychic scars on its victims (Pascual
lasting psychological effects of dislocation and upheaval & Vincent, 2024). The fighting in Ukraine caused one of
(Naal et al., 2021; Abudayya et al., 2023). The path forward Europe’s worst displacement catastrophes since World
remains long but increased awareness of such issues is War II. According to statistics reported by the UNHCR
promising for the development of more compassionate (Situation Ukraine Refugee Situation, 2024), more than
policies and services to help the afflicted heal. Extensive eight million had Ukrainians emigrated to neighboring
investigations have confirmed that psychological stress territories by mid-2023, and an additional 6 million had
often manifests physically. Forced migrants are prone to been internally displaced within Ukraine. The abrupt
heightened anxiety and strain and commonly complain dislocations and the forced forfeiture of dwellings,
of headaches, gastrointestinal trouble, and cardiovascular communities, and means of financial support have
discomfort, all of which are often precipitated by duress. exacerbated the psychological impact of the brutality
Such stress-induced sicknesses increase mortality risks and suffered by Ukrainian citizens. Thus, innumerable
can exacerbate prevailing medical conditions (Kirmayer Ukrainians are fraught with feelings of uncertainty and
et al., 2010). Meanwhile, inquiries continue to illuminate lack of security (Siriwardhana et al., 2014).

Volume 11 Issue 2 (2025) 7 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.4468