Mental Health of Refugees in Austria and Moderating Effects of Stressors and Resilience Factors

Given the exposure to stressors in their home countries, during migration and after arrival, refugees are vulnerable to mental health problems. Their access to adequate health care and other social infrastructures, however, is hampered. This reduces, in addition to other factors, their ability to take part in social and economic activities. We examine the prevalence of mental disorders among the refugee population that arrived in Austria mainly between 2013 and 2018, drawing on data from a refugee survey. We found a high share of refugees (32%) to have moderate or severe mental health problems. When investigating the effects of stressors on the mental health situation, we found a positive association with experienced discrimination in Austria and the fear for partners and children left behind, and a negative correlation with proficiency in the German language, being employed (including volunteer work), having more supportive relationships, and satisfaction with the housing situation.