Post-migration stress, quality of life, and mental health among accompanied and unaccompanied young refugees in Germany: How do adolescents feel after fleeing?

Marco Walg, Anwar Khatib, Avital Laufer, Maria Böttche, Carmel Maoz-Dotan, Hiam Hassan, Gerhard Hapfelmeier, Michal Finkelstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study examines the impact of post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) and quality of life (QoL) on the mental health of 55 young refugees who arrived in Germany either accompanied or unaccompanied. The results reveal that nearly 62% of the participants exhibited clinically significant symptoms of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Regression analyses indicate that psychopathology was associated with being unaccompanied and experiencing lower QoL, while QoL was associated with higher economic status and lower PMLDs. Mediation analysis further demonstrates that higher economic status and reduced PMLDs were associated with higher QoL, which, in turn, correlated with lower levels of psychopathology. These findings emphasise the importance of considering PMLDs and QoL, as well as economic status and being accompanied/unaccompanied, in the assessment and treatment of young refugees in the host country.

Original languageEnglish
JournalStress and Health
Early online date27 Jan 2024
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • accompanied and unaccompanied adolescent refugees
  • post-migration stress
  • psychopathology
  • quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Applied Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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