Potentially traumatic experiences and mental health among asylum-seeking women of reproductive age: The significance of sexual violence and contextual risk factors

Asylum-seeking women are often exposed to potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs), such as various forms of psychological and physical violence. This study examines women’s current mental health by assessing depressive and anxiety symptoms, symptoms indicating psychological trauma, and associated contextual factors. This study utilized data from the Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing Survey conducted in Finland in 2018. Women aged 18 to 50 years (n = 278) were included in the analysis and grouped by region of birth. PTEs were assessed using questions adapted from the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 was used to detect depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms, and symptoms indicating psychological trauma were screened using the PROTECT Questionnaire. Women who had experienced sexual violence had significantly higher odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms (OR = 6.33, 95% CI:2.86–14.05) compared to those who had not. Younger age (18–29 years) was also associated with higher odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.10–3.89). Sexual violence (OR = 4.71, 95% CI:1.99–11.17), other PTEs (OR = 3.13, 95% CI:1.46–6.73), not having children (OR = 2.22, 95% CI:1.12–4.41) or ≥ 3 births (OR = 3.62, 95% CI:1.43–9.14), multilingualism (OR = 2.37, 95% CI:1.23–4.55), and being born in the Middle East and North Africa (OR = 2.42, 95% CI:1.19–4.95) were associated with symptoms indicating psychological trauma. Sexual violence and other traumatic experiences, along with contextual factors, significantly elevate the risk of mental health problems among asylum-seeking women. Sexual violence is associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and symptoms indicating psychological trauma in asylum-seeking women. Other traumatic experiences and contextual factors, such as age, parity, and absence of family, are associated with mental health risks. Trauma and contextual factors affect women’s lives and should be better recognized in research and services.