The Impact of Post-Migration Factors on Posttraumatic Stress and Depressive Symptoms among Asylum Seekers in the United States

Abstract

Recent theoretical and empirical studies suggest that post-migration (PM) factors contribute to negative mental health outcomes for asylum seekers, but few studies have used longitudinal data. This study examines the impact of changes in PM factors (housing, employment, asylum status) on symptom severity level among torture-surviving asylum seekers (n = 78). Participants’ symptoms improved over time, independent of changes in measured PM factors. Change in asylum status was found to reduce symptom levels, but other factors were not significantly related to changes in symptom level. These findings highlight the need to better understand the relationship between PM factors and mental health.

Keywords:

• Asylum
• PTSD
• housing
• unemployment
• torture

Disclosure statement

None of the authors have any conflict of interest to report.

Funding information

This study has no funding information to report.