From camp to community: A longitudinal analysis of how social integration protects against psychological distress among resettled humanitarian migrants
1
Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Refugees commonly experience elevated psychological distress following resettlement, particularly those who have lived in refugee camps. Although post-migration social integration is recognised as essential for refugee wellbeing, little research has examined how specific components of integration may mitigate the mental health impacts associated with camp-based displacement 1. This study investigated whether multiple dimensions of social integration mediate the relationship between pre‑migration stay in the refugee camp and psychological distress among refugees resettled in Australia.
METHODS:
We conducted a secondary analysis of five waves of the Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA) longitudinal study 2. The analytic sample included 1,215 adult refugees with complete data across key variables. Four domains of social integration (ie. employment, English proficiency, community support, and sense of belonging) along with psychological distress (Kessler-6 Scale) were assessed across Waves 1–5. A pre‑migration stay at the refugee camp was reported at Wave 1. Structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques were employed to test mediation effects, using a modified Baron and Kenny approach 3.
RESULTS:
Refugee camp residence prior to arrival in Australia was significantly associated with higher psychological distress across the resettlement period. Three domains of social integration—employment, community support, and sense of belonging—significantly mediated this association, indicating partial buffering of the mental health impacts of camp-based displacement. English proficiency did not demonstrate a significant mediation effect. Employment was the strongest mediator, accounting for nearly one‑third of the distress differential between refugees with and without camp experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings highlight the importance of targeted social integration supports for refugees with camp-based displacement histories. Strengthening resettlement programs that promote employment pathways, build community support networks, and foster belonging may help reduce psychological distress in this population. Employment-focused initiatives, in particular, represent a key intervention point for improving mental health outcomes among refugees with prior camp residence.
Refugees commonly experience elevated psychological distress following resettlement, particularly those who have lived in refugee camps. Although post-migration social integration is recognised as essential for refugee wellbeing, little research has examined how specific components of integration may mitigate the mental health impacts associated with camp-based displacement 1. This study investigated whether multiple dimensions of social integration mediate the relationship between pre‑migration stay in the refugee camp and psychological distress among refugees resettled in Australia.
METHODS:
We conducted a secondary analysis of five waves of the Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA) longitudinal study 2. The analytic sample included 1,215 adult refugees with complete data across key variables. Four domains of social integration (ie. employment, English proficiency, community support, and sense of belonging) along with psychological distress (Kessler-6 Scale) were assessed across Waves 1–5. A pre‑migration stay at the refugee camp was reported at Wave 1. Structural equation modelling (SEM) techniques were employed to test mediation effects, using a modified Baron and Kenny approach 3.
RESULTS:
Refugee camp residence prior to arrival in Australia was significantly associated with higher psychological distress across the resettlement period. Three domains of social integration—employment, community support, and sense of belonging—significantly mediated this association, indicating partial buffering of the mental health impacts of camp-based displacement. English proficiency did not demonstrate a significant mediation effect. Employment was the strongest mediator, accounting for nearly one‑third of the distress differential between refugees with and without camp experience.
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings highlight the importance of targeted social integration supports for refugees with camp-based displacement histories. Strengthening resettlement programs that promote employment pathways, build community support networks, and foster belonging may help reduce psychological distress in this population. Employment-focused initiatives, in particular, represent a key intervention point for improving mental health outcomes among refugees with prior camp residence.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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