Abstract
Background: Refugees are more susceptible to poorer mental health (MH) outcomes in comparison with the general population. As refugee numbers continue to rise, resettlement programmes must recognise the effect of pre-migratory, in-transit and post-migratory stressors on the MH of this population. Few studies to date have determined what within-person factors are associated with improvements in psychological distress, particularly in a longitudinal setting.
Objectives: To determine which within-person factors are associated with improvements in psychological distress in a longitudinal study of refugees resettled in Australia.
Methods: This study uses data from five waves of the Building a New Life in Australia study, collected between 2013 and 2018. The eligible sample included 2249 adult respondents (aged 18+ years), clustered in 1503 households. We conducted multilevel mixed-effects growth modelling incorporating time-variant and time-invariant covariates with psychological distress, as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).
Findings: Socioeconomic factors (e.g. reduced financial stress, paid employment, stable housing and greater English proficiency) were associated with a reduction in psychological distress over time. Meanwhile, social integration stressors (e.g. discrimination, lower sense of belonging, loneliness and difficulties getting used to life in Australia) were associated with an increase in psychological distress over time. Finally, exposure to fewer traumatic events was associated with reduced psychological distress at baseline.
Conclusion: Socioeconomic and social integration post- migratory stressors were an important determinant of psychological distress in this group of resettled refugees. Refugee resettlement programmes should target these modifiable factors while incorporating culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practices when supporting this vulnerable population.
Objectives: To determine which within-person factors are associated with improvements in psychological distress in a longitudinal study of refugees resettled in Australia.
Methods: This study uses data from five waves of the Building a New Life in Australia study, collected between 2013 and 2018. The eligible sample included 2249 adult respondents (aged 18+ years), clustered in 1503 households. We conducted multilevel mixed-effects growth modelling incorporating time-variant and time-invariant covariates with psychological distress, as measured by the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6).
Findings: Socioeconomic factors (e.g. reduced financial stress, paid employment, stable housing and greater English proficiency) were associated with a reduction in psychological distress over time. Meanwhile, social integration stressors (e.g. discrimination, lower sense of belonging, loneliness and difficulties getting used to life in Australia) were associated with an increase in psychological distress over time. Finally, exposure to fewer traumatic events was associated with reduced psychological distress at baseline.
Conclusion: Socioeconomic and social integration post- migratory stressors were an important determinant of psychological distress in this group of resettled refugees. Refugee resettlement programmes should target these modifiable factors while incorporating culturally sensitive and trauma-informed practices when supporting this vulnerable population.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 210-210 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | Suppl. 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |