title: The influence of humanitarian crises on social functioning among civilians in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review.
abstract: Our aim was to systematically review how social functioning is measured, conceptualised, impacted, and associated with mental disorders in populations affected by humanitarian crises. Quantitative studies conducted with civilian populations affected by humanitarian crises in low- and middle-income countries with outcomes of social functioning were examined up to 2014. Data sources included Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, and Global Health, and 8 grey literature sources, yielding 14,350 records, of which 20 studies met inclusion criteria. A descriptive synthesis analysis was used, and the final selected studies assessed for quality using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. In the 20 studies, social functioning was conceptualised in 6 categories: family functioning, friendship quality, functional impairment, overall social functioning, social adaptation, and social relations. Seventeen studies were cross-sectional, two were cohort, and one a controlled trial. The quality of the studies was generally moderate. The limited evidence suggests that social functioning is a relevant variable. Greater crisis exposure is associated with more severe depression and lower social functioning. The protective role of familial and social resources for social functioning is highlighted in different crisis settings. However, greater research on social functioning and mental health is required.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Global Health , Imperial College London , London , UK.
authors.forename: Shaon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lahiri
authors.affiliation: b Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse , World Health Organization , Geneva , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van Ommeren
authors.affiliation: c ECOHOST - The Centre for Health and Social Change, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK.
authors.forename: Bayard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000533:Altruism; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D004190:Disasters; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D012924:Social Conditions
keywords: Humanitarian crisis; disability; functioning; mental health; war