Afghan refugee population in Austria: exploring mental health service utilization and attitudes toward seeking psychological help.
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| Title: | Afghan refugee population in Austria: exploring mental health service utilization and attitudes toward seeking psychological help. |
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| Authors: | Andisha, Pouya (AUTHOR), Lueger-Schuster, Brigitte (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | International Journal of Mental Health. 2026, Vol. 55 Issue 2, p158-176. 19p. |
| Subjects: | Competency assessment (Law), Afghans, Cross-sectional method, Pearson correlation (Statistics), Mental health services, T-test (Statistics), Psychology of refugees, Questionnaires, Interviewing, Pilot projects, Multiple regression analysis, Help-seeking behavior, Anxiety, Quantitative research, Descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Analysis of variance, Statistics, Sociodemographic factors, Data analysis software, Mental depression |
| Geographic Terms: | Austria |
| Abstract: | The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan, is a critical concern due to their high exposure to violence, trauma, and displacement-related stressors. Despite the significant prevalence of mental health problems, Afghan refugee populations exhibit low help-seeking behaviors and resistance to professional psychological support. This study examines the mental health status and psychological help-seeking behaviors of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria, focusing on how sociodemographic and sociocultural factors influence attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Data were collected from 305 Afghan participants (155 asylum seekers and 150 refugees) using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 for anxiety and depression, the International Trauma Questionnaire for ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form. Results indicated high prevalence rates of anxiety (52.8%), depression (57.7%), ICD-11 PTSD (10.5%), and CPTSD (20.7%). Nearly half of those with mental health symptoms had never sought professional help, highlighting significant underutilization of services. Participants who came directly from Afghanistan exhibited significantly more negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help compared to those from Iran or Pakistan. Young adults and individuals who had never received mental health services also displayed more negative attitudes. Multiple linear regression analysis identified not having received mental health services, arriving directly from Afghanistan, and being a young adult as significant factors associated with negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, culturally sensitive approaches, and educational efforts to improve mental health service utilization among Afghan refugee populations in Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | The mental health of asylum seekers and refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan, is a critical concern due to their high exposure to violence, trauma, and displacement-related stressors. Despite the significant prevalence of mental health problems, Afghan refugee populations exhibit low help-seeking behaviors and resistance to professional psychological support. This study examines the mental health status and psychological help-seeking behaviors of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria, focusing on how sociodemographic and sociocultural factors influence attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Data were collected from 305 Afghan participants (155 asylum seekers and 150 refugees) using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 for anxiety and depression, the International Trauma Questionnaire for ICD-11 PTSD and CPTSD, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form. Results indicated high prevalence rates of anxiety (52.8%), depression (57.7%), ICD-11 PTSD (10.5%), and CPTSD (20.7%). Nearly half of those with mental health symptoms had never sought professional help, highlighting significant underutilization of services. Participants who came directly from Afghanistan exhibited significantly more negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help compared to those from Iran or Pakistan. Young adults and individuals who had never received mental health services also displayed more negative attitudes. Multiple linear regression analysis identified not having received mental health services, arriving directly from Afghanistan, and being a young adult as significant factors associated with negative attitudes toward seeking psychological help. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions, culturally sensitive approaches, and educational efforts to improve mental health service utilization among Afghan refugee populations in Austria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00207411 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/00207411.2024.2444464 |
