Mental health outcomes and quality of life of Ukrainian refugees in Germany

Abstract

The war in Ukraine has generated an increase in the number of refugees. As one of the top recipients of refugees, Germany has introduced policies to ease the integration of Ukrainians. The current study explores mental health outcomes and their association with quality of life among a sample of Ukrainian refugees in Germany. Cross-sectional data were collected from a sample of Ukrainian refugees in Germany (n = 304) using standardised instruments. A t-test was used to check for possible significant differences based on gender. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse potential associations between general health (GHQ-12) and depressive symptoms and anxiety (PHQ-4), and quality of life (EUROHIS-QOL 8 item). Female participants reported significantly higher psychological distress, depressive symptoms and anxiety. The significant model (p <.001) for the males accounts for 33.6% of the variance in quality of life. General psychological distress (β = − .240) and depressive symptoms and anxiety (β = − .411) are associated with decreased quality of life. For the female sample (p <.001), the model explains 35.7% of the variance in quality of life. General psychological distress (β = − .402) and depressive symptoms and anxiety (β = − .261) are associated with decreased quality of life. The current study provides the first knowledge on the prevalence of mental health problems and their associations with quality of life among Ukrainian refugees. The findings further identify the vulnerability of women refugees to poorer mental health outcomes. The results also confirm that traumatic experiences in the context of war explain a considerable bulk of mental health problems.