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Table 2 Methodological characteristics of the included reports (n = 26)

From: Experiences of armed conflicts and forced migration among women from countries in the Middle East, Balkans, and Africa: a systematic review of qualitative studies

Authors (year), region where conducted

Aim

Participant’s region of origin (n), recruitment

Data collection

Analysis

Grade

Al Issa et al. [57] (2021), Israel

Explore prevalence of, type of and reaction to sexual violence

Palestine (20), Purposeful

Interviews

GT/CC

**

Al-Natour et al.[42] (2019), Jordan

Describe lived experience of marital violence toward refugee women during war

Somalia (16), Purposeful

Interviews

PA

***

Al-Natour et al.[61] (2022), Jordan

Highlight experiences of the war–refugee families who have sought shelter in a host country

Somalia (16), Purposeful

Interviews

CA

***

Babatunde et al.[41] (2020), Australia

Highlight how past experiences of resilience and strength of migrant women can be vital in informing care provided by mental health practitioners

West Africa (22), Convenience and snowball

Interviews

TA

***

Byrskog et al.[39] (2014), Sweden

Explore experiences and perceptions on war, violence, and reproductive health before migration

Somalia (17), Purposeful

Interviews

TA

***

Hirsch et al. [48] (2012), Gaza

Trace mother’s own experiences, thoughts, and feelings after being exposed to rocket attacks

Israel (52), Convenience and snowball

Survey, interviews

CA, TA

**

Horn et al. [62] (2014), Sierra Leone and Liberia

Explore women’s perceptions of causes of intimate partner violence and the ways they understand these causes to interact with the experiences of war

West Africa (130), Not specified

Interviews, focus groups

TA

***

Lalla et al. [55] (2020), Kenya

Understand the ways women experienced insecurity at a refugee camp

Somalia and Ethiopia (20), Snowball

Interviews, observations

EA

***

Mannell et al. [50] (2021), Afghanistan

Explores women’s lived experiences of domestic violence and conflict

Afghanistan (20), Convenience

Interviews

TA

***

McGadney-Douglass et al. [38] (2008), Ghana

Not specified

Ghana (20), Convenience

Focus groups

Not specified

**

Mukamana et al. [58] (2008), Rwanda

Explore lived experience of women who were raped during genocide

Rwanda (7), Purposeful

Interviews

PA

***

Pavlish [59] (2005), Rwanda

Describe refugee women’s action responses to difficult living situations

Democratic Republic of the Congo (14), Purposeful

Interviews

NA

**

Rizkalla et al. [56] (2020), Jordan

Psychological aim taking into account emotions, cognitions, and relational dynamics of refugee women with the aim of informing interventions and policies that advance refugee well-being

Syria (24), Not specified

Interviews

NA

***

Rizkalla et al. [45] (2021), Jordan

Examine refugee women’s experiences from the war’s outset through their journey and addresses the toll this journey had on their lives

Syria (24), Not specified

Interviews

NA

***

Robertson et al. [51] (2007), Bosnia

Describe displaced mothers’ experiences caring for their children during and immediately after war

Bosnia (14), Purposeful

Interviews, observations

EA

***

Ross-Sheriff [52] (2006), Afghanistan

Were women helpless victims or actors during war, in exile, and during repatriation to their homeland; what roles did the women play; what coping strategies did the women use

Afghanistan (60), Not specified

Interviews

GT/CC

**

Shehadeh et al. [49] (2016), Israel

What are the difficulties captives’ wives experience; what are the sources of support that these wives receive; how do they deal with these difficulties, and how do they cope with this situation

Palestine (16), Not specified

Interviews

TA

**

Sherwood et al. [46] (2012), United Kingdom

Explore women’s experiences of violence during conflict

Somalia and Zimbabwe (6), Purposeful

Interviews

GT/CC

***

Skjelsbaek [40] (2006), Not specified

Generate knowledge about war rape and show how women employ different strategies for war-rape survival and identity construction

Bosnia (5), Not specified

Interviews

NA

**

Sandole et al. [44] (2013), Rwanda

Understand the process by which wartime rape affected women’s sense of self and identity before, during, and after genocide

Rwanda (30), Not specified

Interviews

GT/CC

**

Sossou et al. [43] (2008), USA

Investigate personal lived experiences through the war and the resilience factors that have contributed to general well-being, despite traumatic experiences

Bosnia (7), Convenience

Interviews

TA

**

Sousa et al. [54] (2021), Gaza

Explore the shifting, unpredictable, and traumatic nature of life during a major military operation

Palestine (21), Purposeful and snowball

Diaries, interviews

CA

***

Sousa et al. [60] (2020), Palestine

Explore mothering and political violence

Palestine (32), Not specified

Focus groups, observations

CA

***

Tessitore et al.[53] (2021), Italy

Explore subjective meanings asylum seekers attribute to their pre-migratory, migratory and post-migratory experiences, with an examination of the gender identity dimensions

Nigeria (5), Not specified

Interviews

PA

***

Veronese et al. [47] (2021), Gaza

Investigate the consequences of war and political violence for women’s mental health and psychological functioning

Palestine (21), Purposeful and snowball

Interviews

TA

***

Veronese et al. [37] (2021), Gaza

Explore specific factors that contribute to women’s individual and collective perceptions about war and associated traumatic life events that occurred during their lives

Palestine (21), Not specified

Narrative timelines

TA

***

  1. CA Content analysis, GT/CC Grounded theory/constant comparative method, EA Ethnographic analysis, NA Narrative analysis, PA Phenomenological analysis, TA Thematic analysis
  2. **Moderate methodological limitations
  3. ***Insignificant or less methodological limitations