Mental Health of Refugees After Returning to Their Home Country
Author Information
Author(s): Ulrike von Lersner, Thomas Elbert, Frank Neuner
Primary Institution: University of Konstanz, Germany
Hypothesis
What is the mental health status of refugees returning to their home country after living in Germany for an extended period?
Conclusion
The study found that psychological strain among returnees is significant, with a high prevalence of psychiatric disorders increasing after return.
Supporting Evidence
- 53% of participants had psychiatric disorders before returning, which increased to 88% after return.
- Two-thirds of participants reported that their decision to return was not voluntary.
- Living conditions after return were reported as poor and unstable.
Takeaway
Refugees who return to their home country after living in Germany often struggle with mental health issues, and many feel pressured to return rather than choosing to do so voluntarily.
Methodology
Participants were interviewed before and after returning to their home country, assessing their mental health and living conditions.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-selection of participants and the influence of external pressures on their decision to return.
Limitations
The sample size is small and may not be representative of all returnees.
Participant Demographics
Participants were refugees from the former Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Turkey, with an average age of 49 years and 47% female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = .008
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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