The Impact of Wars and Conflicts on Mental Health of Arab Population

Background. Studies of the general population reveal a definite increase in the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders among people who have experienced war and conflict. Objective. The aim of this paper is to review research findings about the impact of war and conflict on mental health among the general population of Arab countries. Method. The review is comprehensive rather than systematic and is limited to literature available on PubMed online databases. The search strategy aims to locate different study designs with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Result. In general, studies in the literature confirm the impact of war and conflict in Arab countries on the mental health of the general population. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Major Depression Disorders were the most common psychological complications reported. Conclusion. Arab populations exposed to war and conflict need to have agencies with a rich supply of professionals, funding and equipment to provide basic needs, social supports good screening, and rehabilitation programmes.