Mistrust, Anger, and Hostility in Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Immigrants: A Systematic Review

Western societies are witnessing major demographic changes because of human displacement. The September 11 attacks and the wars that followed have increased host societies' feelings of hostility, anger, and mistrust toward refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants, especially those from Arab countries. This systematic review aimed to gather available peer-reviewed literature regarding how society's hostile attitudes and feelings of anger and mistrust toward these refugees may have a negative impact on their general well-being. It further aimed to identify whether society's discrimination and negative feelings toward this population influence the refugees' willingness to seek support from services provided by the host society and, simultaneously, to trust the helping professionals who provide the services. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that: (a) host societies' mistrust, hostility, and discrimination expressed in overt or subtle ways toward refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants have a harmful impact on their biopsychosocial well-being, often triggering feelings of helplessness, anger, frustration, and general mistrust; (b) society's discriminatory attitudes and behaviours may lead refugees and asylum seekers to avoid social and health services even when needed, and to transfer their negative feelings onto helping professionals; and (c) immigration laws and policies may have deleterious effects on their biopsychosocial well-being, on society's negative views of them, and on their own perception vis-a-vis available services and helping professionals. Some recommendations are provided to address these concerns.