Table 2 Themes and subthemes of participants’ most troubling problems (identified with PSYCHLOPS)

[1]

Primary postmigration stressors

-Status of residence

-Difficult situation in home country

-Separation from family/friends

-Language problems

Negative decision in lengthy asylum procedure (m, 21)

Burdened by the situation in Afghanistan (m, 63)

Concerns about family in Afghanistan (m, 26)

Difficulties learning German (f, 21)

8

2

9

4

23

16

2

7

5

30

Total = 53

[2]

General mental problems

-Cognitive problems

-Mood problems

-Stress

-Sleep problems

-Psychiatric disorder

Suffering from forgetfulness (f^b, 37)

Feelings of loneliness (m^c, 34)

Suffering from stress (m, 20)

Sleep disturbances (f, 32)

Obsessive compulsive disorder (m, 21)

4

5

3

1

1

14

4

14

2

1

0

21

Total = 35

[3]

Interpersonal stressors

-Current exposure to violence

-Interpersonal concerns: family

-Interpersonal concerns: partner

-Interpersonal concerns: others

-Interpersonal problems: family

-Interpersonal problems: partner

-Interpersonal problems: others

Domestic violence (f, 35)

Concerns about injured brother (m, 22)

Worries about disabled husband (f, 60)

Concerns about imprisoned friend (m, 22)

Mother-in-law often interferes (f, 24)

Relationship problems with husband (f, 54)

Conflicts with group leader (m, 26)

3

0

6

1

3

0

2

1

16

1

1

5

0

1

6

3

2

18

Total = 34

[4]

Secondary postmigration stressors

-Occupation

-Finances

-Living situation

Not knowing what to do with oneself, because of work ban (m, 21)

Needs money; Payment from social welfare office is delayed (f, 36)

Deposit charges are too high on housing market (f, 35)

3

8

4

15

3

2

6

11

Total = 26

[5]

Mental problems specifically associated with stress

-Loss

-Stressful memories

-Nightmares

-PTSD symptoms

Ruminating thoughts about son’s death (f, 55)

Stressful memories about past (m, 28)

Nightmares about stressful past events (m, 53)

Heavily burdened by PTSD symptoms (f, 19)

4

4

3

1

12

1

1

1

0

3

[6]

Somatic problems

-Physical pain

-Health problems

Headache (m, 59)

Breast cancer and current hormone treatment (f, 35)

5

2

7

2

2

4

Total = 11