The association between COVID-19 related stressors and mental health in refugees living in Australia

Abstract

Background Refugees may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health due to their traumatic pasts and the challenges of the postmigration environment. Objective To evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 related stressors and their relationship to key mental health and functioning outcomes in a resettled refugee sample. Method N = 656 refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia completed a survey in June 2020 to index their mental health (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, health anxiety and disability) and COVID-19 experiences. The relationship between COVID-19 stressors and mental health was examined using a series of hierarchical linear regression models while controlling for other key demographic factors. Results Refugees’ most prevalent stressors related to worries of being infected by COVID-19 or the risk COVID-19 posed to others, which predicted health anxiety and PTSD. Social-related difficulties predicted depression and disability symptoms. Accessing and trusting information from authorities were the least prevalent stressors and were not significantly associated with mental health outcomes; neither was accessing basic supplies and financial support. Fears relating to the future such as concerns about visa application processes predicted health anxiety and disability. Crucially, the strongest predictor of all mental health outcomes was COVID-19 serving as a reminder of difficult past events. Conclusions Refugees may be uniquely affected by COVID-19 because the pandemic serves as a reminder of their past conflict and persecution trauma. It is critical that mental health strategies accommodate the specific needs of refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy amongst refugees in Australia

“…Refugees are at elevated risk of poor physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic (Júnior et al, 2020 ), in part due to prior exposure to war and persecution trauma (Liddell et al, 2021 ) and significant daily stressors in the post-displacement or migration environment. Despite the effectiveness of vaccines to reduce the contagion and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infections (Khoury et al, 2021 ), many people including refugees and migrants (Australian Red Cross, 2021 ) are hesitant to be vaccinated (Robinson, Jones, Lesser, & Daly, 2021 ).…”

Self-imposed social isolation among clients of social care organisations in the COVID-19 pandemic

“…asylum seekers' previous experiences with authorities in their home countries, it is not unreasonable to expect lower trust in authorities in this group (cf. [ 35 ]. A Norwegian study found that most migrants reported a high level of adherence to preventive measures (88%) and trust in Norwegian authorities (79%) [ 36 ].…”

Interoceptive anxiety-related processes: Importance for understanding COVID-19 and future pandemic mental health and addictive behaviors and their comorbidity

“…Among 56 refugee and asylum seekers in Australia, COVID-19 infection stressors (e.g., worry about being infected) was related to health anxiety symptoms at a cross-sectional level ( Liddell et al, 2021 ). Newby, O'Moore, Tang, Christensen, and Faasse (2020) examined cross-sectional relations between COVID-19 worry and mental health among a large sample of adults from Australia ( n = 5071) and found worry about contracting COVID-19 was a significant predictor of depression and anxiety whereas worry about a loved one contracting COVID-19 was associated with anxiety and stress.…”