Der Einfluss postmigratorischer Stressoren auf die Prävalenz depressiver Symptome bei Geflüchteten in Deutschland. Analyse anhand der IAB-BAMF-SOEP-Befragung 2016

BACKGROUND: International studies prove the high burden of mental illnesses among refugees. Postmigration stressors in the country of refuge may affect the mental health and result in depression. OBJECTIVES: The study examines whether postmigration stressors are associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adult refugees in Germany. METHODS: Secondary data analysis based on cross-sectional data of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP Survey of Refugees 2016 (N = 4465) that is representative for Germany. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire‑2 (PHQ-2). Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with binary logistic regression models to examine associations between depression and sociodemographic, postmigration, and psychosocial factors. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms show 19.4% of the surveyed refugees. Almost all selected postmigration stressors are significantly associated with depression after adjustment for sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Unemployment (aOR = 1.48 [1.04–2.12]), loneliness (aOR = 1.14 [1.10–1.18]), and a rejected or undecided asylum application (aOR = 1.34 [1.06–1.70]) increase the odds of depressive symptoms, whereas asylum interviews (aOR = 0.71 [0.56–0.91]) and higher housing satisfaction (aOR = 0.94 [0.91–0.98]) lower the odds of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Postmigration stress is associated with the occurrence of depressive symptoms. Sociopolitical interventions considering stressful and protective factors of the postmigration phase can reduce the burden of mental disorders in refugee populations.