Mental Health of Forcibly Displaced Persons from Nagorno-Karabakh: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: The international community is acutely facing a global problem of refugees and forcibly displaced persons. The situation is currently escalating into a crisis, creating serious humanitarian, social, and healthcare challenges. The forced displacement of the entire Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 became an emergency in Armenia and highlighted a number of societal issues, including the mental health of the displaced population. What made this migration stand out was its dual nature: on the one hand, it was a flight across national borders to a neighboring country, and on the other hand, it was a return to the historical homeland with which they share a common history, culture, language, and religion. AIM: To evaluate the mental state of the persons forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the risk factors underlying their developing anxiety and depression disorders. METHODS: We performed statistical data processing using hierarchical regression analysis. RESULTS: The study was conducted among 733 respondents. The majority of the forcibly displaced persons were women. Most of the refugees were married, relocated with their families, and had mainly secondary education. One in five reported a history of mental trauma. More than half of the respondents showed signs of depression and anxiety that required therapeutic intervention. These individuals exhibited significant impairments in functionality and capacity for work. CONCLUSION: The study revealed the severity and prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders in forcibly displaced persons. Forced displacement was the key factor in the development of mental disorders in this population. Demographic characteristics, such as sex, age, and marital status, also have a significant impact.