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. 2024 Nov 1:10:100282.
doi: 10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100282. eCollection 2024.

The association of migration-related stress with poor mental health among recently resettled Afghan refugees

Munjireen S Sifat  1 , Sarah Kenney  2 , Venera Bekteshi  3 , Shawn C Chiang  4 , Motolani Ogunsanya  5   6 , Laili K Boozary  5 , Adam C Alexander  5   6 , Darla E Kendzor  5   6
Affiliations

The association of migration-related stress with poor mental health among recently resettled Afghan refugees

Munjireen S Sifat et al. J Migr Health. .

Abstract

Background: The resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City, OK, provides a critical context for examining the mental health challenges faced by this population due to post-migration stressors.

Methods: This study utilized online surveys to recently resettled Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City, with support provided by bilingual research assistants to accommodate low literacy rates. Surveys, initially in English, were professionally translated into Dari and Pashto and validated through back-translation.

Results: Participants (N = 348) were majority of Pashtun ethnicity. High rates of mental health issues were evident, with 62.1 % of participants screening positive for depression and 20.1 % for probable GAD. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower pre-migration socioeconomic status (SES) and high post-migration stressors such as discrimination and loss of homeland were significantly associated with increased mental health problems. Stress related to the worry for and loss of their homeland was a substantial predictor of high distress (AOR = 2.71, p < 0.001), anxiety (AOR = 1.99, p = 0.001) and depression (AOR = 2.65, p<.001). Experiences of discrimination post-resettlement was also associated with anxiety (AOR 4.92, p < 0.001).

Discussion: The findings highlight the profound impact of post-migration stressors on the mental health of Afghan refugees. This study underscores the need for targeted interventions to address the specific challenges faced by refugees, such as language barriers, employment, legal support, and anti-discrimination measures, to facilitate better integration and improve mental health outcomes.

Conclusion: Enhanced community integration programs and comprehensive support services are essential to mitigate the mental health challenges faced by Afghan refugees, suggesting a broader application for such approaches in similar resettlement contexts globally.

Keywords: Afghan refugees; Mental health; Post-migration stressors; Resettlement.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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