Table 1.

Overview of studies included in this review (n = 16)

Study	Design	Setting	Participants	Measures	Findings regarding enablers
Chase et al., 2013	Quantitative ‐ Cross‐sectional Survey	Eastern Nepal (Refugee camps)	n = 193 Age: 18–59 (83%) 60+ (16%) M = 46%; F = 54% Bhutanese. Buddhist 26%, Hindu 50%, Kirat 14%, Christian 7% Random sampling	Brief COPE‐ modified version.	Active coping, Planning, Positive reframing Acceptance, Religion, Seeking emotional support. The five factor solution (highly related coping strategies): Humour, denial, behavioural disengagement; Positive reframing, planning, active coping; Emotional support, instrumental support; Interpersonal, acceptance, self‐blame; and venting, religion.
Emmelkamp et al., 2002	Quantitative ‐ Cross‐sectional Survey	Nepal2 (Refugee camps) 1997	n = 315 Mean age = 44 years. M = 84% F = 16% Bhutanese. Random sampling	The Symptom Checklist‐90 (SCL‐90) Social Network Schedule	Increases in received social support (but not perceived social support) were associated with reduction of depressive symptoms.
Nakash et al., 2017	Quantitative ‐ Cross‐sectional Survey	Tel‐Aviv, Israel (Community) April 2012–June 2013	n = 90 M = 100% (male only sample) Age 19–48 Median age = 32 Eritrean and Sudanese. Convenience sampling	Harvard Trauma Questionnaire‐Part 1 (HTQ‐1); PTSD Checklist Civilian Version (PCL); Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS);	Perceived social support serves as a significant moderator in the relationship between exposure to traumatic events and PTSD symptoms. Perceived social support is associated with lower PTSD symptoms only among those who reported low exposure to traumatic events.
Segal et al., 2018	Quantitative ‐ Cross‐sectional Survey via interview	Lebanon (Shatila Refugee Camp) June 2012 ‐ June 2013	n = 254 M = 101 F = 107 63.4% Palestinian 18.5% Syrian 18.1% non‐refugee3 People lived in camp for average 21.1 years (±17) Convenience sampling	The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6)	For Palestinians, stable housing accounted for a 79% reduction in serious mental illness risk. For Syrians, access to paid employment accounted for a 66% reduction in serious mental illness risk.

Study	Design	Setting	Participants	Interview or FG Focus	Findings regarding enablers
Akinyemi et al., 2016	Qualitative FG	Ogun State, Nigeria (Oru Refugee Camp) 2010	n = 32 (4 FGs) M = 16 F = 16 Age 18–67; Mean age = 40.2 (±13.4). Liberian and Sierra Leonean. Purposive sampling	Understanding of health, mental health and quality of life (QoL); Factors affecting mental health and quality of life; Roles of the community and government in improving the mental health status and quality of life of refugees.	QoL a major determinant of MH status. Engagement in religious activities Good physical health and nutrition Environment (particularly stable housing and security) Training of refugees and providing employment and vocational skills Community and solidarity
Chase & Sapkota, 2017	Qualitative Interview and FG	Eastern Nepal (Refugee camp) August 2011 –June 2012	n = 40 for interviews n = 40 for FGs (4 FG approx. 10 in each)4 Age 18+ Bhutanese. Purposive sampling of community leaders and random sampling of other participants.	Perceptions of suicide and distress in their community Strategies for managing their own distress and helping others in distress.	Informal social care systems are critical for coping/support/care to others. Family, friends, and neighbours are first tier of support in responding to distress and assist in linking to other support e.g. religious leader, formal health services, traditional healers. Offer sympathy and encouragement to others and practical support. Heart‐mind interventions: problem focused approaches, change thoughts and behaviours, involvement in distraction activities.
Chemali et al., 2017	Qualitative Interview	Lebanon (Refugee camps in El‐Marj and Bar Elias) December 2015	n = 66 Age 65+ (average age was 65.88, ±7.26 years) M = 27 (40.9%) F = 39 (59.1%) Syrian. Convenience sample	What are elders’ greatest concerns? ‐What services and resources are available to elder refugees? ‐What are not? What is the role of social workers in their current situation? In elders’ current situations, what is the one thing they are grateful for? What is one thing they would change?	Family connectedness in fostering security and normalcy and resilience. Organisations need to strengthen psychological support. Elders key to preserving the core values of Arab society. Family connections, good food and prayer are vital to community support structures. Warmth in family connections, in conjunction, regular schedule of school, work, housework, and storytelling, fosters a sense of normalcy that allows healing.
Cohen & Asgary, 2016	Qualitative FG	Thailand (Community) 2014	n = 49 (across 10 FGs) M = 13 F = 36 18+ Karen Burmese. Convenience sampling	Participants' experience of living in Thailand Self‐identified emotional and mental health Consequences of hardships or abuse Coping strategies Roles of health professionals in coping.	Self‐reflection linked to meditation, and religion. (Helpful for older participants). Distraction methods (drinking alcohol), hobbies, entertainment, listening to music, watching movies/TV, sports. Self‐improvement, education. ‐Community/family based‐ source of coping.
Elsass & Phuntsok, 2009	Qualitative Interview	Dharamsala, India (Community) 1998–2000	STUDY 1 n = 102 M = 66 F = 36 STUDY 2 n = 32 M = 26 F = 6 Tibetan refugee torture survivors. Convenience sampling	STUDY 1 focus: How do you think you managed to survive all the sufferings? STUDY 2 focus: Narrative of life story, imprisonment, flight, and exile; Coping mechanisms to survive the torture; Helpful and unhelpful aspects of counselling; Definition of mental health.	STUDY 1: Most frequent/commonly reported: 1. Political coping, 2. Buddhist coping, 3. Spiritual attitude, 4. Positive thinking 5. Networking, 6. Social support. STUDY 2: a) Generally most helpful: 1. Political coping, 2. Spiritual coping, 3. Buddhist attitude, 4. Positive thinking, 5. Networking, 6. Social support (b) Counselling, most helpful: Buddhist attitude, Positive thinking, Networking, Social support, Psychotherapeutic help.
Hussain & Bhushan, 2011	Qualitative interview	Himachal Pradesh, India (Community)	n = 12 M = 8 F = 4 Age 25–46. Mean age =35 (SD=6.5) Tibetan. Snowball sampling	Life history, challenging life experiences, how they coped with these challenges, and what Tibetan cultural resources were helpful in dealing with their traumatic experiences.	Cultural resources: Protective hands of Dalai Lama; cohesive force, source of strength, healing agents. Buddhist philosophy and practices; life as suffering, law of Karma, rituals. Community bonding and support; identity and belonging, source of strength, platform for sharing. Historical exemplars of strength and resiliency; internalisation of past memories, construction of new self.
Khawaja et al., 2008	Qualitative interview	Brisbane, Australia Retrospective focus of time in transit countries: Egypt (community) & Kenya (camps)	n = 23 M = 11 F = 12 Age 27–47 Mean age = 35 n = 22 Christian n = 1 Muslim Sudanese. Snowball sampling	Life in Sudan prior to migration, experience in transit including coping strategies employed (focus of present review data extraction), and life in Australia after migration.	Religion; social support; cognitive strategies of reframing the situation, making comparisons, minimising, focusing on aspirations and hope for the future. Social networks for financial/material and emotional support. Church groups and neighbours in host community a support. Desire for education.
Labys et al., 2017	Qualitative interview	Durbin, South Africa (Community) October–December 2014	n = 18 M = 9 F = 9 Age 18–58 Mean age = 35.9 Zimbabwean and Congolese from DRC. Random sampling	Problems, effects of problems, coping strategies and believed causes of problems, daily functioning	Coping strategies: talking with friends and refugee peers, attending church, praying, work, physical activities, interactions with family, and learning to speak Zulu (host country language). ‐Cognitive mechanisms: avoidance of thoughts, going to church, being active and focussing on family. ‐Social support: social contact, improving mood, sharing burdens, generating solutions, and assisting with finances. Connecting with people on social media for ideas about how to cope. ‐Physical activities and language: playing sport, dancing.
Lavie‐Ajayi & Slonim‐Nevo, 2017	Qualitative interview	Israel (Holot Detention Center)	n = 8 M = 100% (male only sample) Age 27–38 Sudanese. Purposive sampling	Experiences in Sudan and during the journey, experiences in Israel, relationships with Israelis and with Israeli society, relationships with relatives and other refugees, community engagement and support, factors contributing to adaptation and deterioration in their new environment, and perspectives regarding their future.	Maintaining hope Internal narrative of survival External narratives: comparison of historical events (Jewish persecution) ‐Behavioural coping strategies ‐Ability to work for identity, finances and distraction Ability to study and educate oneself‐ provides hope; The support of family and friends and reunification hope; Social and political activism‐ for identity and narrative.
M uhwezi & Sam, 2004	Qualitative5 Interview	Kampala, Uganda (Community) Mean length of time living in Kampala = 47.6 months, (SD = 16.5)	n = 9 M = 7 F = 2 Mean age=31 (of larger sample) Congolese, Somali, Kenyan, Rwandan. Purposive sampling.	Friendship networks, financial situation, hospitality of Ugandans, social support, pre‐exile circumstances	Social support for urban refugees either from fellow refugees, extended families, residential ethnic enclaves, friends or concerned natives seemed to strongly buffer stress and facilitate adaptation. Maintaining cultural identity. ‐Religion‐ provides hope, encourages forgiveness and helps with coping. –Employment. ‐Hospitality from native Ugandans to refugees. Learning the Ugandan language enhanced satisfaction and well‐being.
Pavlish, 2005	Qualitative interview (two part interview) Interpretive narrative approach	Rwanda (Refugee camp)	n = 14 F = 100% Age 18–50 Congolese. Purposive sampling	Interview part 1: Describe memories and anecdotes about significant events and people past and present, stories about their ordinary days. Given the freedom to choose their own topics and anecdotes. Interview part 2: Initial interview topics were reviewed and additional anecdotes about those topics added. Three questions were then asked: (a) Can you describe experiences that make you fearful or feel unsafe? (b) Can you describe experiences when you have been strong? (c) Can you describe what you hope to experience in the future?	Action Response 1: Refiguration‐ reframing, finding meaning and purpose from adverse experiences, economic activities. Action Response 2: Advocacy‐ agency, leads to hope, change situation. Action Response 3: Resistance‐ with family responsibilities at centre. Action Response 4: Resignation (not an enabler). Action Response 5: Sorrow (not an enabler). Action Response 6: Faith‐prayer, gaining strength and companionship from God.
Tippens, 2017	Qualitative interview	Nairobi, Kenya January–August 2014 (Community)	n = 55; M = 27 F = 28 Age 17–70. Mean age = 38 Congolese from DRC. Purposive sampling	Life in Nairobi (challenges, resources) Coping Strategies (overcoming adversity) Defining well‐being and resilience (values ‐ cultural, social, religious) Hopes (attainable expectations, dreams)	Faith in God's plan and trust in religious community, worship communities for material and social support and security. Participate in rituals that provided sense of normalcy. Establishing borrowing networks‐economic activities/employment activities. Compartmentalising the past and present‐ managing memories‐ dedicating time and space for remembering.

Note. FG: focus group; F: female; M: male; DRC: democratic republic of congo.