The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 43 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Mental health and quality of life among asylum seekers and refugees living in refugee housing facilities in Sweden
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: In 2015, there was a high influx of refugees to Sweden, creating an extreme situation where individuals were forced to remain in large housing facilities for long periods. The present study aims to describe the mental health and quality of life of these individuals. METHODS: Data, based on 510 individuals, were obtained by means of a questionnaire at open screenings conducted at or nearby refugee housing facilities. Of the participating refugees, 367 were asylum seekers and 143 had received a residence permit but were still awaiting a more permanent housing solution. The questionnaire included measures of depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7), risk of having post-traumatic stress disorder (PC-PTSD), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). RESULTS: Of the total sample, 56-58.4% reported clinically significant levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety and risk of having PTSD. Prevalence estimates were higher among asylum seekers than among those who had received their residence permit. Quality of life was generally rated below population norms and correlated negatively with mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals residing in refugee housing facilities show high levels of psychological distress and rate their quality of life as low. Asylum seekers score higher than those having received a residence permit. These results are troublesome since the wait time for asylum decisions has lengthened considerably after 2015. The results of the present study calls for the urgency of societal actions to shorten the asylum process and improve conditions at the housing facilities.
Overview
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
The cited source says what the claim attributes to it.
In the citing paper
“In general, refugees show a low level of well-being (Leiler et al., 2019; Beza et al., 2022).”
From Smartphone-delivered mental health care interventions for refugees: A systematic review of the literature (2023) · cites this paper as Leiler et al., 2019
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Citations
Cites
The PHQ-9: Validity of a brief depression severity measure
Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., & Williams, J. B. W. (2001) · Journal of General Internal Medicine · doi:10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x · Cited by 44,910
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder: The GAD-7
Spitzer, R. L., Kroenke, K., Williams, J. B. W., & Löwe, B. (2006) · Archives of Internal Medicine · doi:10.1001/archinte.166.10.1092 · Cited by 31,765
Depression and quality of life in older persons: A review
Sivertsen, H., Bjørkløf, G. H., Engedal, K., Selbæk, G., & Helvik, A.-S. (2015) · Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders · doi:10.1159/000437299 · Cited by 14,152
Back-translation for cross-cultural research.
Brislin, R. W. (1970) · Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology · doi:10.1177/135910457000100301 · Cited by 14,091
Development of the World Health Organization WHOQOL-BREF Quality of Life Assessment
THE WHOQOL GROUP (1998) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291798006667 · Cited by 7,933
Anxiety disorders in primary care: prevalence, impairment, comorbidity, and detection
Kroenke, K., Spitzer, R. L., Williams, J. B. W., Monahan, P. O., & Löwe, B. (2007) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-146-5-200703060-00004 · Cited by 4,741
Skevington, S. M., Lotfy, M., & O'Connell, K. A. (2004) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1023/b:qure.0000018486.91360.00 · Cited by 4,686
Depression, chronic diseases, and decrements in health: results from the World Health Surveys
Moussavi, S., Chatterji, S., Verdes, E., Tandon, A., Patel, V., & Ustun, B. (2007) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(07)61415-9 · Cited by 4,070
The Whoqol Group (1998) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(98)00009-4 · Cited by 3,802
The global prevalence of common mental disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis 1980–2013
Steel, Z., Marnane, C., Iranpour, C., Chey, T., Jackson, J. W., Patel, V., & Silove, D. (2014) · International Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.1093/ije/dyu038 · Cited by 2,846
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–155 of 155
Development of the Refugees and Asylum Seekers Occupational Satisfaction (RASOS) Assessment Tool
Psychouli, P., Louta, I., & Christodoulou, C. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20196826 · Cited by 2
Lavdas, M., Sandal, G. M., & Bøe, T. (2024) · SSM - Mental Health · doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2024.100365 · Cited by 5
Arwidson, C. V. E., Holmgren, J., Gottberg, K., & Tinghög, P. (2025) · PLOS Global Public Health · doi:10.1371/journal.pgph.0003987 · Cited by 2
Jesuthasan, J., Moran, J. K., Döring‐Brandl, E. J., Abels, I., Kurmeyer, C., Starck, A., Stangier, U., Gutermann, J., Zier, U., Wollny, A., et al. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1627665 · Cited by 3
Post-Pandemic Multidimensional Integration of Afghan Refugee Women in the U.S.
Aghaei, A., Qiao, S., Roth, B. J., Koga, P. M., & Li, X. (2025) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-025-01827-2 · Cited by 2
Eshetu, H. B., Blackford, K., Lobo, R. C., Alemu, M. B., Tessema, G. A., & Crawford, G. (2026) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-026-01849-4 · Cited by 4
Motivational Mechanisms of Demonstration of Professional Competences in a Situation of Uncertainty
Антонович, К. П. (2019) · Journal of Intellectual Disability - Diagnosis and Treatment · doi:10.6000/2292-2598.2019.07.03.4 · Cited by 2
Vrabel, K. R., Johnson, S. U., Ebrahimi, O. V., & Hoffart, A. (2023) · Psychiatry Research Communications · doi:10.1016/j.psycom.2023.100115 · Cited by 2
Çöl, M., Akın-Sarı, B., Mut, A. N. U., Çelik, K., Aykut, N. B., Dinç, L. E., Koçak, C., Kobeissi, L. H., Say, L., & Akın, A. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-2233366/v1 · Cited by 2
Psychologic well-being and quality of life of Syrian refugees
Çevik, C., Selçuk, K. T., ÇEVİK, E., & Karadağ, N. (2022) · Minerva Psychiatry · doi:10.23736/s2724-6612.21.02213-2 · Cited by 1
Utilization of Mental Health Counseling Services Among Refugees and Asylum-Seekers in Malaysia
Brooks, M. A., Mukherjee, T. I., Pillai, V., Khoshnood, K., Kim, R. S., & El‐Bassel, N. (2024) · Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research · doi:10.1007/s10488-024-01427-6 · Cited by 1
BAYRAM, H. (2022) · International Journal of Psychology and Educational Studies · doi:10.52380/ijpes.2022.9.4.779 · Cited by 1
Reed, D. E., Patel, S. G., Bagheri-Pele, T., Dailami, M., Kapoor-Pabrai, M., Husic, A., Kohli, S., Wickham, R. E., & Brown, L. M. (2023) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-022-01439-0 · Cited by 1
Mental Health of Adult Refugees
Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2023) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-34078-9_1 · Cited by 1
UKRAINIAN REFUGEES IN BUCHAREST: INTEGRATION, OBSTACLES, AND FUTURE PLANS
Deliu, A. (2023) · Journal of Community Positive Practices · doi:10.35782/jcpp.2023.4.01 · Cited by 1
Unrecognized grief - Prevalence and comorbidity of prolonged grief among refugees in Sweden
Leiler, A., Meurling, J., Rondung, E., Shahnavaz, S., Andersson, G., & Bjärtå, A. (2024) · Journal of Migration and Health · doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2024.100274 · Cited by 1
Self-citationRzepka, I., Zehetmair, C., Nagy, E., Friederich, H., & Nikendei, C. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1453957 · Cited by 2
Risk Factors and Prevalence of Mental Illness
Zimbrean, P. C., & Dahal, R. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-47668-7_13 · Cited by 2
Misedah-Robinson, L., Schick, V., Ross, M. W., & Wambua, S. (2022) · Refuge Canada s Journal on Refuge · doi:10.25071/1920-7336.40935 · Cited by 1
Nowak, A. C., Boettcher, V. S., Gehrlein, L.-M., & Hornberg, C. (2021) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-871673/v1 · Cited by 1
BANTUAN PEMERINTAH INDONESIA DALAM PENANGANAN PENGUNGSI INTERNASIONAL DARI NEGARA KONFLIK
Sukma, N. A. S., Nurlukman, A. D., Amiludin, A., & Ahmad, A. (2021) · MASALAH-MASALAH HUKUM · doi:10.14710/mmh.50.2.2021.184-195
Mascaro, J. S., Shellman, D., Keaton, W. A., Willson, M., Brauer, E., Samphel, T., Chang, H., Raison, C. L., Zivot, J., & Eisen, A. (2021) · Frontiers in Communication · doi:10.3389/fcomm.2021.752820 · Cited by 2
Life satisfaction of refugees living in Germany
Mendola, D., & Parroco, A. M. (2021) · Proceedings e report · doi:10.36253/978-88-5518-304-8.20
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr8
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr4
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr5
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr9
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr10
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr6
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr2
Nohr, L. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr1
Nohr, L. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr7
El-Haj-Mohamad, R., Nohr, L., Niemeyer, H., et al. (2022) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2022.61.pr3
Anti-crisis architecture: Sustainable approaches for migrant housing construction
Анатольевна, К. С. (2023) · AIP conference proceedings · doi:10.1063/5.0165406
Aygüler, E., Ayalp, M. Ç., & Buz, S. (2025) · Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Vizyoner Dergisi · doi:10.21076/vizyoner.1501517
Stabilization interventions in the treatment of traumatized refugees: A scoping review
Rzepka, I., Gebhardt, N., Nowak, J., Bruns, B., Friederich, H., & Nikendei, C. (2025) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2025.10028 · Cited by 1
Kurt, G., Specker, P., Liddell, B. J., Keegan, D., Nandyatama, R. W., Yuanita, A., Rachmah, R. A., Hoffman, J., Kashyap, S., Tricesaria, D., et al. (2025) · Cambridge Prisms Global Mental Health · doi:10.1017/gmh.2025.10053 · Cited by 2
Sukor, M. E. A., Mahdzan, N. S., Hashim, R. C., & Haseeb, M. (2025) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-025-01795-7
Uluslararası Göçmenlerin Barınma Deneyimlerinde Çok Katmanlı Kırılganlıklar: Tematik Bir Analiz
Şavran, T. G., Yurt, B. D., & Levent, F. (2025) · Sosyoloji araştırmaları dergisi/Sosyoloji araştırmaları dergisi · doi:10.18490/sosars.1813084
Stoeckli, R. T., Zoellner, V., Haji, F., Aebersold, M., Burchert, S., Wabiszczewicz, J., Knaevelsrud, C., Heim, E., & Berger, T. (2025) · Journal of Migration and Health · doi:10.1016/j.jmh.2025.100379
Haj-Younes, J., Strømme, E. M., Igland, J., Kumar, B., Abildsnes, E., Hasha, W., & Diaz, E. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13152213
Nowak, A. C., Nutsch, N., Brake, T.-M., Gehrlein, L.-M., & Razum, O. (2023) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.23632663
Haj-Younes, J., Strømme, E. M., Igland, J., Kumar, B., Abildsnes, E., Hasha, W., & Diaz, E. (2020) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.13152216
Grochtdreis, T., König, H.-H., & Dams, J. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26752795
Karimah, F. N., McDonald, J. T., Stålgren, M., & Salazar, M. (2026) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-025-13991-0
Herberholz, C. (2026) · Global Health Research and Policy · doi:10.1016/j.ghrp.2026.01.004
Miaci, E., Stranges, M., & Çela, E. (2026) · Rivista italiana di economia, demografia e statistica · doi:10.71014/sieds.v80i1.576
Exploring the link between self-rated health and vulnerability among refugees in Italy
Çela, E., Miaci, E., di Belgiojoso, E. B., Campaniello, L., & Sorti, E. (2026) · Rivista italiana di economia, demografia e statistica · doi:10.71014/sieds.v80i4.440
Baluku, M. M. (2026) · Journal of International Migration and Integration / Revue de l integration et de la migration internationale · doi:10.1007/s12134-026-01384-z
Human trafficking and the mental health burden of forced migrants in Germany
Rzepka, I., Rollmann, I., Kindermann, D., Friederich, H., Nikendei, C., & Stollwerck, E. A. T. (2026) · Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-9354939/v1
The role of perceived social support in the psychological well-being of forced migrants
Bukinich, A. M., Shaigerova, L. A., Dolgikh, A. G., & Sultanova, I. V. (2026) · Social Psychology and Society · doi:10.17759/sps.2026170303
Quality of Life and Well-Being of Syrian Refugees: Insights from Spain and Jordan
Al-Hourani, D., Al-Wriekat, M., Alvarado‐Omenat, J. J., García-García, D., Llamas‐Ramos, I., & Llamas‐Ramos, I. (2026) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs16101885
Mulcaire, J., O’Driscoll, C., Holt, L., Zard, S., & Brady, F. (2026) · PLOS mental health. · doi:10.1371/journal.pmen.0000756
Azizi, B. A., Bjärtå, A., Meurling, J., Tabrizi, F., Saadat, S., Talbian, W., & Afsharzada, M. S. (2026) · Journal of Affective Disorders Reports · doi:10.1016/j.jadr.2026.101189
Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Leiler, A., Bjärtå, A., Ekdahl, J., & Wasteson, E.
- Affiliations
- Mid Sweden University (SE)
- Corresponding author
- Leiler, Anna
- Venue
- Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Published
- 2018-12-22
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 543-551
- ISSN
- 0933-7954 (ISSN-L)
- 1433-9285
- OpenAlex
- W2906114080
- Cited by
- 155
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 17 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 20 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 14.10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- The Asylum-, Migration-, and Integration Fund – European Commission (I2119)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Law › Migration, Racism, and Human Rights
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Migration, Refugees, and Integration
- Keywords
- asylum seekers, refugees, mental health, quality of life, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress, asylum procedure, Sweden
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Mental Disorders, Depression, Female, Housing, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Quality of Life, Surveys and Questionnaires, Refugees, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Sweden, Prevalence, Young Adult
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
