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Impact of Family Separation on Subjective Time Pressure and Mental Health in Refugees from the Middle East and Africa Resettled in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Matthias Hans Belau

    (School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
    Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Heiko Becher

    (Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany)

  • Alexander Kraemer

    (School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany)

Abstract

Little is known about social determinants among refugees resettled in Germany. This study aims to examine the impact of family separation on refugees’ subjective time pressure and mental health. Data come from the FlueGe Health Study ( n = 208), a cross-sectional study administered by Bielefeld University. We used logistic regression analysis to investigate the effect of family separation on (i) being time-stressed and (ii) having a high risk for adverse mental health, considering sociodemographic and postmigration factors. As a result, more than 30% of participants with a spouse or partner and about 18% with a child or children reported separation. Multiple logistic regression showed that family separation was not associated with being time-stressed, but separation from at least one child was associated with adverse mental health (OR = 3.53, 95% CI = [1.23, 10.11]). In conclusion, family separation primarily contributes to adverse mental health among refugees from the Middle East and Africa resettled in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Therefore, policies and practices that facilitate family reunification can contribute significantly to the promotion of refugees’ mental health and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthias Hans Belau & Heiko Becher & Alexander Kraemer, 2021. "Impact of Family Separation on Subjective Time Pressure and Mental Health in Refugees from the Middle East and Africa Resettled in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11722-:d:674487
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yan Guo & Xinguang Chen & Jie Gong & Fang Li & Chaoyang Zhu & Yaqiong Yan & Liang Wang, 2016. "Association between Spouse/Child Separation and Migration-Related Stress among a Random Sample of Rural-to-Urban Migrants in Wuhan, China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Thomas Siedler & Jürgen Schupp & C. Katharina Spiess & Gert G. Wagner, 2008. "The German Socio-Economic Panel as Reference Data Set," RatSWD Working Papers 48, German Data Forum (RatSWD).
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    4. Oluwakemi C. Amodu & Magdalena S. Richter & Bukola O. Salami, 2020. "A Scoping Review of the Health of Conflict-Induced Internally Displaced Women in Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-21, February.
    5. Daniel S. Hamermesh & Jungmin Lee, 2007. "Stressed Out on Four Continents: Time Crunch or Yuppie Kvetch?," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 89(2), pages 374-383, May.
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