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Refugee and asylum-seeking populations exhibit clinically significant sleep disturbances, with high pooled prevalence of sleep adversities.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of 66 studies (n=42,956) found that refugees and asylum seekers have clinically significant sleep disturbances. The pooled mean Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score was 13.76 (95% CI 10.39-17.13), bordering on moderate clinical insomnia, and the pooled mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score was 8.59 (95% CI 2.11-15.07), exceeding clinical thresholds for poor sleep. The pooled prevalence of sleep adversities was 43.2% in adults and 36.4% in children.

Last updated: Jul 13, 2026•0 RCTs•1 Meta-analyses•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score47/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis★★★☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Insomnia and poor sleep quality in refugee and asylum-seeking populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

observational

Carpinelli LP, Gauer LE, Soares VHD, Williams SB, Szepeilewicz CB, Pezzini JV, Neto AOG, Ribeiro STG · PloS one (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: N/A (observational assessment of sleep quality and insomnia severity)
Outcome: Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, prevalence of sleep adversities
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Refugee and asylum-seeking populations (adults and children)

Result:

PubMed: 42391198DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352964

Mechanism Graph

Chronic stress and trauma exposure in refugee populations
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Disruption of circadian rhythms due to displacement
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Increased hyperarousal and anxiety
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Result: Clinically significant sleep disturbances and high insomnia prevalence

Limitations

  • ⚠Subgroup analyses had limited statistical significance due to sample heterogeneity
  • ⚠The abstract does not specify control groups or causal mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions

What sleep assessment tools were used in this meta-analysis?▼

The Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to assess sleep quality and insomnia severity.

How prevalent are sleep problems in refugee children?▼

The pooled prevalence of sleep adversities in children was 36.4%.

What was the average ISI score across studies?▼

The pooled mean ISI score was 13.76, which falls in the upper subthreshold range bordering on moderate clinical insomnia.

Does this study recommend any interventions?▼

The authors recommend integrating standardized sleep assessments into refugee health protocols and developing targeted interventions addressing insomnia risk factors.

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References

  1. 1.Carpinelli LP, Gauer LE, Soares VHD, Williams SB, Szepeilewicz CB, Pezzini JV, Neto AOG, Ribeiro STG. "Insomnia and poor sleep quality in refugee and asylum-seeking populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.." PloS one, 2026. PMID: 42391198 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0352964
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.