Mental Health and Resilience in Eritrean and Somali Refugees in Switzerland: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Almost three-quarters of refugee participants had high resilience scores.

• 69 of 99 participants (70%) had high resilience scores
• Median resilience score was 86
• Resilience was assessed using a validated questionnaire
• Participants had a median stay of 8.6 years in Switzerland, indicating resilience persisted well beyond initial arrival

Low frequencies of moderate or severe PTSD, anxiety, and depression symptoms were found among participants.

• Moderate or severe PTSD symptoms were found in 7% of participants
• Moderate or severe anxiety symptoms were found in 0% of participants
• Moderate or severe depression symptoms were found in 1% of participants
• Screening used validated questionnaires for each condition

Symptoms of somatic disorders and harmful levels of alcohol use were relatively common among the refugee participants.

• 18% of participants exhibited symptoms of somatic disorders
• 12% of participants exhibited harmful levels of alcohol use
• These conditions were described as 'more common' relative to PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• These symptoms were present despite participants having lived in Switzerland for a median of 8.6 years, indicating they persisted 'well beyond the early adaptation phase'

The study sample was predominantly young, Eritrean, and male with long periods of residence in Switzerland.

• 102 participants were enrolled in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland
• Median age was 34 years
• 88 participants (86%) were Eritrean; the remainder were Somali
• 62 participants were male
• Median duration of stay in Switzerland was 8.6 years
• Participants were aged ≥16 years

The study used a cross-sectional design with validated questionnaires to assess multiple mental health conditions and resilience.

• Screening covered PTSD, somatic disorders, anxiety, depression, alcohol use, and resilience
• All participants were refugees aged ≥16 years residing in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland
• Validated questionnaires were used for each assessed condition
• Total sample size was 102 participants