The mental health burden of LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers in Greece

Abstract

This study constitutes the first attempt to create a quantitative knowledge basis for the mental health of LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, applying an intersectional lens to quantitative data to highlight their mental health experiences. LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers constitute a minority population, facing multiple intersectional challenges that put their mental health at risk. A self-compiled questionnaire that examined self-reported psychological symptoms, pre-migration and post-migration stressors was administered through a structured interview with 121 LGBT+ refugees and asylum seekers, recruited with non-probability sampling. Results showed that participants who engaged in transactional sex reported higher psychological symptoms. Fear of violence as a reason for fleeing the country of origin, and discrimination and violence from other refugees predicted more psychological symptoms. Discrimination and violence from other refugees partially mediated and moderated the association between fear of violence as a reason for fleeing the country of origin, and psychological symptoms. The above findings highlight the need for further research to inform interventions in the Greek context.