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ABSTRACT: Background
International studies prove the high burden of mental illnesses among refugees. Postmigration stressors in the country of refuge may affect the mental health and result in depression.Objectives
The study examines whether postmigration stressors are associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adult refugees in Germany.Methods
Secondary data analysis based on cross-sectional data of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees 2016 (N = 4465) that is representative for Germany. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire‑2 (PHQ-2). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with binary logistic regression models to examine associations between depression and sociodemographic, postmigration, and psychosocial factors.Results
Depressive symptoms show 19.4% of the surveyed refugees. Almost all selected postmigration stressors are significantly associated with depression after adjustment for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Unemployment (aOR = 1.48 [1.04-2.12]), loneliness (aOR = 1.14 [1.10-1.18]), and a rejected or undecided asylum application (aOR = 1.34 [1.06-1.70]) increase the odds of depressive symptoms, whereas asylum interviews (aOR = 0.71 [0.56-0.91]) and higher housing satisfaction (aOR = 0.94 [0.91-0.98]) lower the odds of depression.Conclusions
Postmigration stress is associated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Sociopolitical interventions considering stressful and protective factors of the postmigration phase can reduce the burden of mental disorders in refugee populations.
SUBMITTER: Nutsch N
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7686213 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Nutsch Niklas N Bozorgmehr Kayvan K
Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz 20201025 12
<h4>Background</h4>International studies prove the high burden of mental illnesses among refugees. Postmigration stressors in the country of refuge may affect the mental health and result in depression.<h4>Objectives</h4>The study examines whether postmigration stressors are associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adult refugees in Germany.<h4>Methods</h4>Secondary data analysis based on cross-sectional data of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees 2016 (N = 4465) that is repr ...[more]