TY  -  JOUR
AU  -  Caroppo, Emanuele
AU  -  Marano, Giuseppe
AU  -  Rossi, Sara
AU  -  Lisci, Francesco Maria
AU  -  Brisi, Caterina
AU  -  Comite, Giuseppe
AU  -  Di Palma, Tiziana
AU  -  Giammetta, Rosalia
AU  -  Santiccioli, Silvia
AU  -  Porfiri, Maurizio
AU  -  De Lellis, Pietro
AU  -  Mazza, Marianna
T1  -  Invisible struggles, visible solutions: addressing the mental health needs of migrant women. A narrative review
PY  -  2025
Y1  -  2025-01-01
DO  -  10.1723/4456.44512
JO  -  Journal of Sex- and Gender-Specific Medicine
JA  -  J Sex Gender Specif Med
VL  -  11
IS  -  1
SP  -  49
EP  -  59
PB  -  Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore
SN  -  2974-8623
Y2  -  2026/05/30
UR  -  http://dx.doi.org/10.1723/4456.44512
N2  -  Summary. Migrant women often face a unique set of challenges that profoundly affect their mental health. Issues such as adverse experiences during motherhood, compounded by experiences of violence including domestic abuse, prostitution, trafficking, and sexual aggressions, contribute significantly to their psychological distress. Furthermore, migrant women encounter pervasive discrimination and gender stereotypes that restrict their autonomy and increase their vulnerability. The psychological wounds inflicted upon these women, especially the youngest refugees, can be deep and lasting, often manifesting as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, adaptation, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders. Migrant women often carry the burden of immense trauma and repeated abuse, which can shatter their sense of self. These experiences inflict scars that the psyche struggles to integrate, transcending the notion of mere ‘unrepresentability’ of trauma. Invisible struggles need visible solutions, through the creation of safe spaces where women can engage in transformative processes of healing and recovery, free from shame, guilt, and stigma. To effectively address the unique mental health burdens faced by migrant and refugee women, targeted prevention programs tailored to their needs are essential. Future research should also focus on this population to develop interventions that support their mental health and well-being.
ER  -