This study investigates the effect of perceived discrimination on the mental health of Afghan refugees, and secondly, tests the distress moderating effects of pre-migration traumatic experiences and post-resettlement adjustment factors. In a cross-sectional design, 259 Afghans completed surveys assessing perceived discrimination and a number of other factors using scales developed through inductive techniques. Multivariable analyses consisted of a series of hierarchical regressions testing the effect of perceived discrimination on distress, followed by a sequential analysis of moderator variables. Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with higher distress, and this relationship was stronger among those with a strong intra-ethnic identity and high pre-resettlement traumatic experiences. The expected buffering effects of civic engagement, ethnic orientation (e.g. integration), and social support were not significant. Discrimination is a significant source of stress for Afghan refugees, which may exacerbate stresses associated with other pre- and post-migration stressors. Future research is needed to tailor interventions that can help mitigate the stress associated with discrimination among this highly vulnerable group. © 2018 Alemi, Stempel. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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vulnerable population depression refugee physiology mental health human Refugees middle aged Stress, Psychological mental stress coping behavior controlled study Aged Adaptation, Psychological social support procedures Cross-Sectional Studies Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult disease course social status cross-sectional study racism psychology Adolescent California male Humans female Aged, 80 and over very elderly traumatology questionnaire Article major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder distress syndrome Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ethnicity disease association population migration Afghan health survey