Although asylum seeking has become a major political issue in the Western world, research on its psychological impact is still in its infancy. This study examined levels and predictors of distress among a community sample of persons who have sought asylum in Ireland. A key aim was to provide a longitudinal analysis of the relationship between legal status security and psychological distress. Distress was measured by the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised at Time 1 (N = 162) and its shorter version (the Brief Symptom Inventory) at Time 2 (N = 70). Levels of severe distress were high at both baseline (46%) and follow-up (36%). The only persons to show a decrease in distress were those who had obtained a secure legal status (e.g., refugee status or residency) between the study phases. Distress risk factors included female gender, an insecure legal status, separation from children, discrimination, and postmigration stress. Protective factors were social support (Time 1) and the presence of a partner. The findings suggest that asylum seekers are a high-risk group for distress. This risk can be reduced by appropriate policy changes and interventions to increase social resources. © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Legal status insecurity Asylum seekers Postmigration stress Refugees Psychological distress

Nigeria Romania longitudinal study perceptive discrimination follow up human Longitudinal Studies Refugees middle aged risk assessment Interview, Psychological controlled study Adaptation, Psychological social support Stress Disorders, Traumatic Cross-Sectional Studies Symptom Checklist 90 Humans family Ireland Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Brief Symptom Inventory prediction risk factor Risk Factors univariate analysis Zimbabwe female Multivariate Analysis social welfare Article bivariate analysis major clinical study adult migration Prejudice distress syndrome disease severity public policy