Experiences of Minority Stress and Mental Health Burdens of Newly Arrived LGBTQ* Refugees in Germany

Abstract

Introduction: While many refugees have settled in Germany within recent years, little is known about LGBTQ* (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer*) refugees, a potentially vulnerable group. This qualitative study investigated LGBTQ* refugees’ experiences of distal and proximal minority stressors as well as their mental health burdens during the post-migration period. Methods: In 2018, 26 self-identified LGBTQ* refugees were recruited in community centers of different metropolitan areas of Germany and interviewed in three focus groups. Anonymized transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: LGBTQ* refugees experienced discrimination based on their intersecting identities. Some described daily occurrences and higher rates in comparison with premigration. Moreover, LGBTQ* refugees reported expectations of rejection and thus concealed their identities, while some also demonstrated identity acceptance. Reported mental health burdens covered internalizing symptoms as well as low levels of well-being. Conclusions: Findings suggest that LGBTQ* refugees are especially vulnerable to multiple forms of discrimination based on their intersecting identities. For a subgroup of participants, both discrimination experiences and mental health burdens subjectively increased during post-migration. Policy Implications: Our evidence substantiated that LGBTQ* refugees need to be distinctively acknowledged in social policies to counter their specific patterns of experienced discrimination and improve their mental health.