title: Psychological distress is influenced by length of stay in resettled Iraqi refugees in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Psychological distress has been well identified in recently resettled refugee groups; however, evidence on psychological distress over time is not conclusive. Australia has welcomed a large refugee population in recent decades, including Iraqis who currently form one of the largest groups being resettled in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study aimed to explore psychological distress in two samples of Iraqi refugees, those who recently arrived (n = 225, average length of stay = 0.55 months) and those with a longer period of resettlement (n = 225, average length of stay = 58.5 months). To assess general symptoms of anxiety and depression, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was employed. Associations between participants' demographic characteristics and psychological distress levels were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant difference between groups, t (441) = -2.149, p = 0.0324, was found, indicating that study participants with longer periods of resettlement were experiencing higher levels of psychological distress than recent arrivals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings have implications for both for government and non-government funded organisations who should consider the provision of assistance programs beyond the initial arrival period.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Maria Gabriela
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Uribe Guajardo
authors.affiliation: Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Shameran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Slewa-Younan
authors.affiliation: New South Wales Refugee Health Service, Liverpool, Australia.
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: New South Wales Refugee Health Service, Liverpool, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eagar
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Mathematics, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stone
keywords: Australia; Iraqi refugees; Length of stay; Psychological distress