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Abstract. Background: Religiosity can foster mental health after traumatic experiences. Yet, religiosity among Muslim immigrants has also been linked to separation-oriented acculturation, which is linked to reduced mental health. Therefore, the function of religiosity for resilience in Middle Eastern refugee and immigrant adolescents might differ as their migration contexts differ in terms of traumatic experiences and the nature of cultural interactions . Aims: This study examined whether religiosity is associated with better mental health after traumatic experiences, particularly among young refugees. In addition, it was explored whether religiosity is associated with better mental health among refugees through less marginalization and whether religious immigrant peers show worse mental health through stronger separation. Method: 135 adolescents ( MAge = 18.25 years, SD = 1.73; nrefugees = 75, nimmigrants = 60) completed self-reports on religiosity, mental health, trauma, and acculturation orientations. Regression analyses were calculated examining group-specific differences in potential moderating effects of religiosity on the relationship between trauma exposures and internalizing symptoms. Furthermore, potential indirect effects of religiosity on internalizing symptoms via acculturation orientations were investigated. Results: Stronger religiosity was associated with better mental health following trauma exposure. No group-specific differences were observed. While religious refugee adolescents reported less marginalization associated with fewer internalizing symptoms, religious immigrant peers reported more separation and internalizing symptoms. Limitations: Results are limited to male Muslim adolescents in Germany. The cross-sectional nature prohibits any implications for causal dynamics in the associations. Conclusion: Religiosity is generally protective against post-traumatic consequences, but associations with acculturation differ across migration contexts.

Objective This study examined the mental health of Middle Eastern male unaccompanied refugee adolescents in Germany in relation to the mental health of accompanied refugee peers, first- and second-generation immigrant and native peers. In particular, it was investigated whether differences in the mental health of unaccompanied and accompanied refugees and immigrant peers were related to differences in the perception of post-migration stress, and whether this association changed with different acculturation orientations. Method In a cross-sectional study, 193 adolescents (Mage = 18.1 years, SD = 1.74 years; nrefugees = 74, nmigrants = 59, nnatives = 60) completed self-report measures of mental health, trauma, acculturation styles, and post-migration stress. Results Analyses of variance revealed that unaccompanied refugees suffered most from internalizing and trauma symptoms, while accompanied peers, first- and second-generation immigrant and native adolescents did not differ significantly in internalizing symptoms. Hierarchical regression analysis demonstrated that more integrated adolescents were generally associated with lower internalizing symptoms and integration also buffered against detrimental effects of post-migration stressors. Marginalized adolescents showed more internalizing symptoms, especially in the lights of more post-migration stress. Both assimilation and separation had no direct effects on internalizing symptoms. However, assimilation buffered against detrimental effects of post-migration stress on internalizing symptoms, whereas separation amplified these effects. Conclusion An involvement in host society and an orientation towards the host culture fosters mental health of acculturating Middle Eastern adolescents in Germany when post-migration stress is perceived, particularly for unaccompanied refugee adolescents. Moreover, additionally maintaining the culture of origin seems to be in general most beneficial.

The large number of adolescent refugees around the world constitutes a great challenge for societies. However, current models of acculturation have been developed for migrants, but not specifically for adolescent refugees. Crucial factors to describe adolescent refugee acculturation, such as intentions to return to their homeland, especially with respect to adolescent refugees with temporary residency and experiences of potentially traumatic events, are missing. Hence, the Multidimensional Intercultural Training Acculturation (MITA) model is introduced. The model proposes that two major concerns for adolescent refugees, which are socio-cultural adjustment and mental health, are predicted by intercultural and social–emotional competence, intentions to return to their homeland, and experiences of traumatic events. Moreover, the effects of three modes of acculturation are also proposed in the model. It is expected that these variables mediate the effects of intercultural competence, social–emotional competence, intentions to return to the homeland, and experiences of traumatic events on socio-cultural adjustment as well as mental health. Finally, it is also expected that in-group social support and out-group social support moderate the direct connection between the experiences of traumatic events and mental health.

This qualitative study was carried out to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for Iranian migrants suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) and living in Austria for an average of 14 years. The qualitative data were collected through interviews based on the Farsi version of the Structured Clinical Interview for the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). However, to obtain more information from the participants, they were asked to talk in more detail about their childhood and teenage years, reasons for immigration, their lifestyle before and after immigration, and their social activities. Interviews were conducted at four time points: preintervention, postintervention, 1-month follow-up, and 6-month follow-up. Patients who did not complete the interventions were interviewed on a voluntary basis to explain their reasons. Preintervention interviews were conducted to get some useful information about participant's' expectations of psychotherapy, especially group-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (GCBT), and also to assess the reasons for depression from their own point of view. The postintervention interviews were conducted to examine the participants' psychological situations as well as the reasons for positive effects of interventions. The interviews on average lasted 50 minutes, and field notes were taken. The results of this study showed a reduction in depression symptoms after the interventions. However, the effect of treatment was not persistent. The findings suggest that the main reasons behind Iranian migrants' depression in Austria is related to their dysfunctional acculturation attitude. The effectiveness of GCBT for Iranian migrants with depression also may be related to their sociocultural background.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Group based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (GCBT) for Iranian migrants with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in Austria. Twenty-three Iranian women and men with an average, 40.4 years old that met DSM-IV criteria for MDD were randomized to the GCBT, Individual CBT, and Waiting-List control groups. All two types of interventions comprised 17 sessions lasting 60 minutes for individual CBT and 120 minutes for GCBT. The results showed a significant reduction in depression symptoms in GCBT group, evaluated by BDI-II, BSI (scale 4), and ATQ. The significant decrease in depression was found for individual CBT group with respect to BDI-II and ATQ as well. However, individual CBT in this study was not successful to decrease depression mood evaluated by BSI (scale 4) from pre- to post-intervention. A significant group differences between GCBT and individual CBT in BSI (scale 4) at post-intervention may highlight that GCBT in this study showed a stronger effect on depressed mood compared to individual CBT. The follow-up measurements revealed a significant deterioration for both groups. The findings from this study suggest that the reasons behind the Iranian migrant’s depression may be related to their chosen dysfunctional acculturation strategies. Therefore, GCBT can be considered an appropriate treatment for Iranian migrants with MDD by encouraging them to be more in contact with people from their own socio-cultural background and motivating them to modify their acculturation attitudes.