Mental health conditions and hope: ex refugees of Timor Leste on the Indonesian border

This study aims to determine the mental health conditions and levels of hope of ex-refugees from East Timor who chose to become Indonesian citizens during the 1999 referendum. The Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-42 and the Adult Hope Scale were used to assess the mental health conditions and levels of hope of 172 former East Timorese refugees, aged at least 37 years old and living at the border. The results showed that the mental health condition of former East Timorese refugees was good or normal. Despite experiencing various problems, several factors contribute to their good mental health conditions, such as economic factors, education, family, security, effective Indonesian government policies, and social and cultural factors. The results also show that former East Timorese refugees living on the border have high and medium levels of hope. The findings of this study provide a deeper understanding of the right of former refugees to attain psychological well-being in their country.