A house is not a home: a network model perspective on the dynamics between subjective quality of living conditions, social support, and mental health of refugees and asylum seekers

Abstract

Background: Providing adequate living conditions for forcibly displaced people represents a significant challenge for host countries such as Germany. This study explores refugee mental health’s reciprocal, dynamic relationship with post-migration living conditions and social support. Methods: The study sample included 325 Arabic- or Farsi-speaking asylum seekers and refugees residing in Germany since 2014 and seeking mental health treatment. Associations between reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress and depression and the subjective quality of living conditions and perceived social support were analyzed using a two-level approach including multiple linear regression and network analyses. Results: Post-migration quality of living conditions and perceived social support were significantly associated with negative mental health outcomes on both levels. In the network, both post-migration factors were negatively connected with overlapping symptoms of psychiatric disorders, representing potential target symptoms for psychological treatment. Conclusion: Post-migration quality of living conditions and social support are important factors for refugee mental health and should be targeted by various actors fostering mental well-being and integration.

‘I lost over 700 tubers of yam but am glad I am still alive’: Implications of victimhood and displacement on conflict management – Insights from displaced farmers in North Central Nigeria

“…Efforts should focus on improving the quality of shelters, ensuring access to essential services, and promoting community engagement and participation (Ullal et al, 2022;Van Wicklin, 2017). In addition, establishing mechanisms for social support, fostering community resilience, and providing psychosocial assistance are crucial to mitigating the potential for renewed violence and reprisal within these populations (Schilz et al, 2023).…”

“…The lack of access to adequate sanitation facilities, clean water, and essential services further compounds the challenges faced by these individuals (Lischer, 2005). Such adverse conditions not only undermine their physical well-being but also have a profound impact on their mental health and resilience (Schilz et al, 2023). The absence of social support and the breakdown of community cohesion contribute to an environment where conflicts can easily escalate, with individuals resorting to violence and reprisals to protect their interests and assert their rights (Lischer, 2005; Schilz et al, 2023).…”

“…Such adverse conditions not only undermine their physical well-being but also have a profound impact on their mental health and resilience (Schilz et al, 2023). The absence of social support and the breakdown of community cohesion contribute to an environment where conflicts can easily escalate, with individuals resorting to violence and reprisals to protect their interests and assert their rights (Lischer, 2005; Schilz et al, 2023). Therefore, addressing the issue of poor living conditions among displaced farmers requires comprehensive interventions that prioritise their physical safety, well-being, and dignity.…”

“…(Displaced-Male/IDI/Gwer-west) Findings revealed that most of the shelter tents, mostly made of wood and polyester, lacked proper ventilation and were already wearing out with several leakages during rain, thus exposing them to several communicable diseases and health challenges. Research indicates that the quality of living conditions, including housing, shelter, and environmental factors, significantly impacts the wellbeing and stability of displaced farmers (Schilz et al, 2023). Inadequate and overcrowded shelters lacking proper ventilation expose individuals to health risks and diminish their overall comfort and security (Lischer, 2005;Ullal et al, 2022).…”

Enhancing Mental Health Predictions: A Gradient Boosted Model for Sri Lankan Camp Refugees

“…Linear regression is valued for its ease of implementation and interpretation, making it accessible to researchers and practitioners alike. As a result, linear regression is very popular in migration research and has been widely used to model the mental health of migrants (Alemi et al 2015;Costa et al 2020;Nesterko et al 2020;Schilz et al 2023;Walther et al 2020). However, its simplicity comes with limitations, as linear regression requires strict model assumptions such as the existence of the exact linear relationship between the response and predictor variables.…”