Trajectories of psychological distress and social integration in newly resettled refugees: findings from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal study
July 2023
Thomas P. Nguyen, Shameran Slewa-Younan, Pilar Rioseco
This article investigates the social factors that affect refugees’ mental health. Using data from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal study, it looks at the impact of social integration stressors – such as discrimination, waiting for family reunion, lower sense of belonging, loneliness, lower English language proficiency – on levels of psychological distress over time. The study found high rates of psychological distress, which worsened over time.
Nguyen, T.P., Slewa-Younan, S., & Rioseco, P. (2023). Trajectories of psychological distress and social integration in newly resettled refugees: Findings from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, Advance online publication