Geographical Disparities and Settlement Factors and Mental Health of Refugees Living in Germany

Julian Grabo and Gerard Leavey ()
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Julian Grabo: Global Health, Maastricht University, 6221 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
Gerard Leavey: Bamford Centre for Mental Health & Wellbeing, Ulster University, Coleraine BT51 5SA, UK

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: Approximately half of all refugees living in Germany experience discrimination, which may negatively affect their mental health. Moreover, German refugees have experienced hostility, especially in eastern regions. (2) Aims: We examined the effect of perceived discrimination on refugees’ mental health in Germany, with a particular focus on possible regional differences of refugee mental health and perceived discrimination. (3) Method: The data of 2075 refugees who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2016, from a large-scale survey, was analysed using binary logistic regression. The refugee health screener, 13-item version, was used to assess psychological distress. All effects were investigated for the entire sample and both sexes independently. (4) Results: A third of refugees experienced discrimination which increased the risk of psychological distress ( OR = 2.25 [1.80, 2.8]). Those living in eastern Germany were more than twice as likely to report experiences of discrimination, compared to their counterparts living in western Germany ( OR = 2.52 [1.98, 3.21]). Differences were noted between males and females, and religious attendance. (5) Conclusions: Perceived discrimination is a risk factor for refugee mental health, particularly female refugees in eastern Germany. An east–west regional difference may be explained by socio-structural factors, rural placement, differential historical exposure to migrant populations, and a greater presence of right-wing and populist parties in eastern Germany.

Keywords: refugees; mental health; discrimination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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