Psychiatrische Praxis
Volume 46, Issue 4, 2019, Pages 191-199

The Influence of Residence Status on Psychiatric Symptom Load of Asylum Seekers in Germany [Psychische Symptombelastung bei Asylsuchenden in Abhängigkeit vom Aufenthaltsstatus] (Article) (Open Access)

Winkler J.G.* , Brandl E.J. , Bretz H.J. , Heinz A. , Schouler-Ocak M.
  • a Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Groβe Hamburger Straβe 5-11, Berlin, 10115, Germany
  • b Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Groβe Hamburger Straβe 5-11, Berlin, 10115, Germany, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Germany
  • c Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Groβe Hamburger Straβe 5-11, Berlin, 10115, Germany
  • d Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, CCM, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
  • e Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Groβe Hamburger Straβe 5-11, Berlin, 10115, Germany

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to assess asylum seekers views on their legal situations, asylum procedures and living conditions, and the relationship of these factors towards psychological stress. Methods 650 asylum seekers in Berlin received a questionnaire. Results 76,3% (N=496) completed the questionnaires in full. According to psychological test criteria, 74,6% (N=370) of these respondents indicated symptoms of mental disorders. There were significant correlations between insecure residency status and these symptoms. Respondents with higher symptom load took less advantage of support, participated less in measures designed to assist integration, and described more difficulties in their hearing. Only 11.6% out of the asylum seekers with mental Illness indicating symptoms in our sample were under psychiatric treatment. Conclusion Our data emphazise the high relevance of mental health burden among refugees. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart. New York.

Author Keywords

psychiatric disorder refugees/asylum seekers Psychosocial stress Suicidality Asylum status

Index Keywords

Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic mental stress Germany asylum seeker Humans refugee questionnaire disease burden Article psychology mental disease Surveys and Questionnaires mental health human community integration Refugees hearing impairment posttraumatic stress disorder
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85065224005&doi=10.1055%2fa-0806-3568&partnerID=40&md5=36c5db5edecbddbc06682174e95ba5f3
DOI: 10.1055/a-0806-3568
ISSN: 03034259
Original Language: German