Enhancing the capabilities of forcibly displaced people: a human development approach to conflict- and displacement-related stressors

Abstract Aims The mental health of individuals who have been forcibly displaced can be impacted both by war-related traumatic events and displacement-related stressors , which arise as a consequence their migratory journey subsequent experiences. In addition to focusing on disorders, there is need explore broader psychosocial outcomes that are important for people. Our aim present coherent explanatory framework understand how past ongoing operating throughout people's social environment impact wellbeing. Methods We describe the capability approach (CA), human development foregrounds individuals’ freedom engage in forms being doing valuable them. consider opportunities CA provides understanding myriad factors people, different support configured meet needs particular people communities. Results recognises various share common putative causal mechanism i.e. these limit person's ability develop capabilities valued doing. rights based ethos enables multisectoral coordinated activity, directed towards addressing across environment. Importantly, helps explain why may more beneficial or communities at certain times compared others. Conclusion application help guard against risk aspirations assessment instruments interventions aimed supporting narrowly focused distress instead adopt expansive focus potential possibilities they wish realise.