“Andere Länder, Andere Sitten”. Acculturation of War Refugees in Germany in Post-reunification Period: a Mixed Methods Literature Review

The article analyzes the achievements and difficulties on the acculturation path of war migrants based on literature sources from 1991 to 2022, supplemented by an updated literature search in 2025. The study group included refugees who arrived in Germany as a result of wars, armed conflicts or emergencies. The literature review was conducted using mixed methods (MMAT – mixed methods appraisal tool). The literature was searched in three databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and APA PsycInfo (705 articles in total). Following an initial screening, an additional update search was performed in 2025. After applying exclusion criteria, 17 articles were selected to serve as the basis for this review.We operationalized acculturation as a multidimensional integration process consisting of psychological acceptance of the host culture while simultaneously maintaining the home culture; accordingly, we examined the achievements and complexities of acculturation of war refugees using the conceptual framework of integration A. Ager & A. Strang (2004; 2008).War refugees have a number of characteristics related to their experiences of traumatic circumstances and losses, which justifiably allows them to be grouped into a separate group. Predictors and facilitators of successful acculturation related to individual characteristics and motivation of migrants and barriers to acculturation related to their fears and negative experiences have been identified.We assume that this review may have practical relevance in terms of providing psychological help to contemporary migrants.