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Post-migration journey: Asylum, trauma and resilience, different trajectories – A comparison of the mental health and post-migration living difficulties of documented and undocumented migrants in Belgium

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  • Laura Herroudi
  • Iris Knuppel
  • Adélaïde Blavier

Abstract

Background: Research on the impact of post-migration experiences on the mental health of migrant populations has shown a predictive link between post-migration living difficulties and psychological distress. While many studies have focussed on refugees and asylum seekers, there is a considerable gap in the literature concerning undocumented migrants. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the differences in mental health between documented and undocumented migrants in Belgium. It identified the post-migration difficulties encountered by these two groups and measured their impact on their levels of trauma, resilience, anxiety, depression and their assumptive world. Method: This study involved 69 participants, aged 18 to 68 years, who were either documented or undocumented resident in Belgium. Our data collection included the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Checklist for the measurement of post-migration difficulties, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist – DSM-V version for the measurement of trauma, the World Assumptions Questionnaire for the measurement of the assumptive world, the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 for the measurement of depressive and anxiety disorders and the Adult Resilience Measure – Revised for the measurement of resilience. Results: Our analyses showed that the mental health of undocumented migrants was poorer than that of documented migrants, with higher levels of trauma, anxiety and depression, a more negative assumptive world, a lower sense of control and lower total and personal resilience. Our results also revealed that post-migration living difficulties were more severe and more numerous for undocumented migrants, and that they were associated to different themes in both groups. Conclusions: The fact that post-migration experience plays such an important role in the mental health of migrant populations raises significant clinical, political and societal considerations. Furthermore, it would appear that undocumented migrants represent a distinct migratory group with their own specificities in terms of migration journey and mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Herroudi & Iris Knuppel & Adélaïde Blavier, 2024. "Post-migration journey: Asylum, trauma and resilience, different trajectories – A comparison of the mental health and post-migration living difficulties of documented and undocumented migrants in Be," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 70(1), pages 201-208, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:70:y:2024:i:1:p:201-208
    DOI: 10.1177/00207640231204212
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kenneth Carswell & Pennie Blackburn & Chris Barker, 2011. "The Relationship Between Trauma, Post-Migration Problems and the Psychological Well-Being of Refugees and Asylum Seekers," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 57(2), pages 107-119, March.
    2. Elizabeth A. Newnham & April Pearman & Stephanie Olinga-Shannon & Angela Nickerson, 2019. "The mental health effects of visa insecurity for refugees and people seeking asylum: a latent class analysis," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 64(5), pages 763-772, June.
    3. Linda Liebenberg & Jeff Christopher Moore, 2018. "A Social Ecological Measure of Resilience for Adults: The RRC-ARM," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 136(1), pages 1-19, February.
    4. Massimiliano Aragona & Miriam Castaldo & Maria Cristina Tumiati & Cristina Schillirò & Alessandra Dal Secco & Francesca Agrò & Angela Forese & Marco Tosi & Giovanni Baglio & Concetta Mirisola, 2020. "Influence of post-migration living difficulties on post-traumatic symptoms in Chinese asylum seekers resettled in Italy," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(2), pages 129-135, March.
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