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The Effect of Stressors and Resilience Factors on Mental Health of Recent Refugees in Austria

Author

Listed:
  • Isabella Buber-Ennser
  • Judith Kohlenberger
  • Michael Landesmann

    (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw)

  • Sebastian Leitner

    (The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw)

  • Bernhard Rengs

Abstract

Given the exposure to stressors in their home countries, during their migration and in the phase after arrival, refugees are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. At the same time, their access to adequate healthcare and other social infrastructure might be hampered by factors such as lack of knowledge as well as cultural and language barriers. In addition to other factors, this reduces their ability to take part in social activities as well as their integration into the labour market of the host societies. We examine the prevalence of mental disorders in the refugee population from Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria who arrived in Austria recently, drawing on data from a refugee survey conducted between December 2017 and April 2018 in Austria with a specific focus on Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Linz and Innsbruck (FIMAS+INTEGRATION). We found a high share of refugees (32%) to have moderate or severe mental health problems. In particular, young refugees (15-34 years) show higher risk levels. When investigating the effects of stressors on the mental health situation, we found a positive association with e.g. experienced discrimination in Austria and the fear for partners and children left behind. In contrast, the results show a negative correlation for a couple of mitigating factors that foster resilience, i.e. proficiency in the German language, being employed (including volunteer work), having more supportive relationships and satisfaction with the housing situation. Disclaimer Research for this paper was financed by the Anniversary Fund of the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (Project No. 17166). Support provided by Oesterreichische Nationalbank for this research is gratefully acknowledged.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabella Buber-Ennser & Judith Kohlenberger & Michael Landesmann & Sebastian Leitner & Bernhard Rengs, 2019. "The Effect of Stressors and Resilience Factors on Mental Health of Recent Refugees in Austria," wiiw Working Papers 169, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    • Handle: RePEc:wii:wpaper:169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marbach, Moritz & Hainmueller, Jens & Hangartner, Dominik, 2017. "The Long-Term Impact of Employment Bans on the Economic Integration of Refugees," Research Papers repec:ecl:stabus:3618, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefan Jestl & Michael Landesmann & Sebastian Leitner & Barbara Wanek-Zajic, 2022. "Trajectories of Employment Gaps of Refugees and Other Migrants: Evidence from Austria," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(2), pages 609-669, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    refugees; mental health; social integration; labour market integration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration

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