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Background: Longitudinal studies examining mental health trajectories in refugees and asylum seekers are scarce. Objectives: To investigate trajectories of psychological symptoms and wellbeing in refugees and asylum seekers, and identify factors associated with these trajectories. Method: 912 asylum seekers and refugees from the control arm of three trials in Europe (n = 229), Turkey (n = 320), and Uganda (n = 363) were included. We described trajectories of psychological symptoms and wellbeing, and used trauma exposure, age, marital status, education, and individual trial as predictors. Then, we assessed the bidirectional interactions between wellbeing and psychological symptoms, and the effect of each predictor on each outcome controlling for baseline values. Results: Symptom improvement was identified in all trials, and for wellbeing in 64.7% of participants in Europe and Turkey, versus 31.5% in Uganda. In Europe and Turkey domestic violence predicted increased symptoms at post-intervention (ß = 1.36, 95% CI 0.17–2.56), whilst murder of family members at 6-month follow-up (ß = 1.23, 95% CI 0.27–2.19). Lower wellbeing was predicted by murder of family member (ß = −1.69, 95% CI −3.06 to −0.32), having been kidnapped (ß = −1.67, 95% CI −3.19 to −0.15), close to death (ß = −1.38, 95% CI −2.70 to −0.06), and being in the host country ≥2 years (ß = −1.60, 95% CI −3.05 to −0.14). In Uganda at post-intervention, having been kidnapped predicted increased symptoms (ß = 2.11, 95% CI 0.58–3.65), and lack of shelter (ß = −2.51, 95% CI −4.44 to −0.58) and domestic violence predicted lower wellbeing (ß = −1.36, 95% CI −2.67 to −0.05). Conclusion: Many participants adapt to adversity, but contextual factors play a critical role in determining mental health trajectories.

Background: longitudinal studies examining mental health trajectories in refugees and asylum seekers are scarce. Objectives: to investigate trajectories of psychological symptoms and wellbeing in refugees and asylum seekers, and identify factors associated with these trajectories. Method: 912 asylum seekers and refugees from the control arm of three trials in Europe (n = 229), Turkey (n = 320), and Uganda (n = 363) were included. We described trajectories of psychological symptoms and wellbeing, and used trauma exposure, age, marital status, education, and individual trial as predictors. Then, we assessed the bidirectional interactions between wellbeing and psychological symptoms, and the effect of each predictor on each outcome controlling for baseline values. Results: symptom improvement was identified in all trials, and for wellbeing in 64.7% of participants in Europe and Turkey, versus 31.5% in Uganda. In Europe and Turkey domestic violence predicted increased symptoms at post-intervention (ss = 1.36, 95% CI 0.17-2.56), whilst murder of family members at 6-month follow-up (ss = 1.23, 95% CI 0.27-2.19). Lower wellbeing was predicted by murder of family member (ss = -1.69, 95% CI -3.06 to -0.32), having been kidnapped (ss = -1.67, 95% CI -3.19 to -0.15), close to death (ss = -1.38, 95% CI -2.70 to -0.06), and being in the host country >= 2 years (ss = -1.60, 95% CI -3.05 to -0.14). In Uganda at post-intervention, having been kidnapped predicted increased symptoms (ss = 2.11, 95% CI 0.58-3.65), and lack of shelter (ss = -2.51, 95% CI -4.44 to -0.58) and domestic violence predicted lower wellbeing (ss = -1.36, 95% CI -2.67 to -0.05). Conclusion: many participants adapt to adversity, but contextual factors play a critical role in determining mental health trajectories. / Antecedentes: estudios longitudinales que examinan las trayectorias de la salud mental en losrefugiados y solicitantes de asilo son escasos. Objetivos: investigar las trayectorias de los síntomas psicológicos y el bienestar en refugiadosy solicitantes de asilo, e identificar factores asociados a estas trayectorias.Métodos:Se incluyeron 912 solicitantes de asilos y refugiados del brazo control de tresensayos clínicos en Europa (n= 229), Turquía (n= 320) y Uganda (n= 363). Describimos las trayectorias psicológicas de los síntomas y el bienestar, y utilizamos la exposición traumática, laedad, el estado marital, la educación y el juicio individual como predictores. Después,evaluamos las interacciones bidireccionales entre el bienestar y los síntomas psicológicos, yel efecto de cada uno de los predictores en cada resultado controlando por los valores iniciales.Resultados: se identificó una mejoría en los síntomas en todos los ensayos, y del bienestar en el64.7% de los participantes en Europa y Turquía, versus el 31.5% en Uganda. En Europa y en Turquía,la violencia doméstica predijo el incremento de síntomas de después de la intervención (ß= 1.36,95% CI 0.17 a 2.56), mientras que el homicidio de algún miembro familiar a los 6 meses deseguimiento (ß= 1.23, 95% CI 0.27 a 2.19). Un menor bienestar fue predicho por el homicidio dealgún miembro de la familia (ß=−1.69, 95% CI−3.06 a−0.32), haber sido secuestrado (ß=−1.67, 95% CI−3.19 a−0.15), haber estado próximo a la muerte (ß=−1.38, 95% CI−2.70 a−0.06), y estar en el país de acogida≥2años(ß=−1.60, 95% CI−3.05 a−0.14). En Uganda,después de la intervención, haber sido secuestrado predijo un aumento de los síntomas(ß=2.11, 95% CI 0.58 a 3.65), y la falta de refugio (ß=−2.51, 95% CI−4.44 a−0.58) y laviolencia doméstica predijo un menor bienestar (ß=−1.36, 95% CI−2.67 a−0.05).Conclusión: muchos participantes se adaptan a la adversidad, pero los factores contextualesjuegan un papel crítico en determinar las trayectorias de la salud mental., European Union (EU); Horizon 2020; European Commission (EC); RE-DEFINE: Refugee Emergency DEFining and Implementing Novel Evidence-based psycho-social Interventions