Mental Health of Refugees in Austria and Moderating Effects of Stressors and Resilience Factors

Sebastian Leitner, Michael Landesmann, Judith Kohlenberger, Isabella Buber-Ennser and Bernhard Rengs
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Michael Landesmann: The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw), Rahlgasse 3, 1060 Vienna, Austria
Judith Kohlenberger: Research Institute for Migration and Refugee Research and Management, Vienna University for Economics and Business (WU), Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, Austria
Isabella Buber-Ennser: Vienna Institute of Demography of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna, Austria
Bernhard Rengs: Vienna Institute of Demography of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna, Austria

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Given the exposure to stressors in their home countries, during migration and after arrival, refugees are vulnerable to mental health problems. Their access to adequate health care and other social infrastructures, however, is hampered. This reduces, in addition to other factors, their ability to take part in social and economic activities. We examine the prevalence of mental disorders among the refugee population that arrived in Austria mainly between 2013 and 2018, drawing on data from a refugee survey. We found a high share of refugees (32%) to have moderate or severe mental health problems. When investigating the effects of stressors on the mental health situation, we found a positive association with experienced discrimination in Austria and the fear for partners and children left behind, and a negative correlation with proficiency in the German language, being employed (including volunteer work), having more supportive relationships, and satisfaction with the housing situation.

Keywords: refugees; mental health; resilience; social integration; labour market integration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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