Twenty-four studies were included in the review. The total number of participants in the review was not reported. The follow-up duration of included studies ranged from one week to four years. Eleven studies used the post-event cross-sectional design, whilst ten studies used the post-event longitudinal design. Fifteen studies involved two comparison groups (relocated versus non-relocated).
Mental health outcomes
Psychological distress/morbidity (ten studies): Eight studies reported a significant association between relocation and psychological morbidity.
Post-traumatic stress disorder syndrome and/or symptoms (eleven studies): Six studies showed a significant association between relocation and post-traumatic stress disorder syndrome and/or symptoms.
Depression (ten studies): Five studies reported a significant association between relocation and depression.
Physical health outcomes
Self-reported health (five studies): One study reported a significant association between relocation status and disaster-related health decline.
Medical complaints/utilisation (three studies): Three studies showed that relocated individuals were more likely to use medical services, particularly for psychological problems.
Mortality (two studies): Two studies showed that death rates were not subsequently elevated in relocated individuals.
Post-event injury (two studies): One study showed an association between relocation and post-event injuries, but one study did not.
Outcomes assessing vulnerable groups prone to suffer from adverse consequences as a result of relocation were also reported.