The mental health of refugees in Germany: The role of life satisfaction as a mediator between the feeling of being “welcome” and mental health

Abstract

Background: The experience of (civil) war, political, economic and social crises in the country of origin, the experience of threats, exploitation while fleeing and the perception of discrimination and rejection in the host country represent psychological stress experiences that can impair the mental health of refugees. Objective: The focus of the study is the question of whether the feeling of being “welcome” in the host country Germany is directly or indirectly related to the mental health of the refugees and to what extent life satisfaction as a mediator explains this association. Methodology: The study is based on the IAB-BAMF-SOEP survey. The data of 4321 refugees who applied for asylum in Germany between January 2013 and December 2016 from the survey year 2018 have been evaluated. A mediation analysis was carried out to answer the question. Results: The feeling of being “welcome” has an indirect effect on the mental health of the refugees through life satisfaction as a mediator. Conclusions: By developing a welcome culture, Germany can influence the feeling of being “welcome”, thus promoting life satisfaction for the refugees, and consequently strengthening their mental health.