Economic Stability, Resilience, and Life Satisfaction among Afghan Refugees Residing in Pakistan

Background: Forced displacement presents multifaceted challenges, particularly in economic and psychological domains. This study examined the interplay between economic stability, resilience, and life satisfaction among Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 602 Afghan refugees, utilizing validated instruments: the Household Economic Security Scale (HESS), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). Pearson correlation, linear regression, and mediation analysis were employed to test the proposed relationships. Results: Economic stability demonstrated significant positive associations with both resilience and life satisfaction. Resilience was also positively linked to life satisfaction. Mediation analysis revealed that resilience partially mediated the relationship between economic stability and life satisfaction, suggesting that financial security contributes to well-being both directly and indirectly through enhanced psychological resilience. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of strengthening both economic opportunities and psychological resilience to enhance the long-term adjustment and quality of life of refugee populations.