Purpose From 2014 to 2017, the member states of the EU were experiencing an increased number
of asylum applications. Before and during their flight, asylum seekers are confronted
with harsh conditions implying physical and psychological stress. The purpose of this
study was to estimate the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of asylum seekers
and refugees that arrived during the European migrant and refugee crisis in Germany
between 2014 and 2017.
Methods The analysis was based on the 2016 and 2017 refugee samples of the German Socio-Economic
Panel (n = 6821). HrQoL was measured using the SF-12v2 questionnaire and presented
as physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores. PCS and MCS scores for
the total sample, males and females were calculated by sociodemographic characteristics.
Associations between PCS and MCS scores and sociodemographic variables were examined
by a linear regression with bootstrapped standard errors.
Results The mean PCS and MCS scores of the sample were 53.4 and 47.9, respectively. Female
sex was statistically significantly associated with lower PCS and MCS scores. Employment
was statistically significantly associated with higher PCS and MCS scores. Persons
from Afghanistan had statistically significantly lower MCS scores than persons from
Syria, whereas MCS scores were statistically significantly higher for persons from
Eritrea.
Conclusions Physical and mental HrQoL of asylum seekers and refugees that arrived during the
European migrant and refugee crisis in Germany between 2014 and 2017 was higher and
lower than the German norm, respectively. Female sex, older age, unemployment and
being separated, divorced or widowed were negatively associated with HrQoL. The three
largest ethnical groups of asylum seekers and refugees, Syrians, Afghans and Eritreans,
differ inherently in their HrQoL.
