When does social support help? Differential effects on the relationship between post-migration stress and internalizing symptoms in young male refugees and immigrant-origin peers from the Middle East

Background: Perceived social support is considered a crucial protective factor for mental health, particularly among marginalized populations. This study investigated the association between perceived social support and internalizing symptoms (depression, anxiety) in young refugees and immigrant-origin peers from the Middle East. It further examined whether social support buffers the adverse impact of post-migration stress on internalizing symptoms. Methods: The sample consisted of 135 male adolescents and young adults living in Germany, including n = 75 young refugees (primarily from Syria and Afghanistan) and n = 60 immigrant-origin peers, all with a Middle Eastern background. Validated self-report instruments were used to assess perceived support from friends, family, and significant others, as well as post-migration stress and internalizing symptoms. Conclusions: These findings suggest that, for young male Middle Eastern refugees, perceived social support alone may be insufficient to buffer post-migration stress, underscoring the importance of expanding structural and instrumental support systems in Germany.