2.2.2. Mental Health

Mental health was measured using the mental component summary (MCS) score of the Short Form-12 Health Survey-SOEP (SF-12-SOEP) [38]. To compare to published means, the MCS scale was transformed into a range from 0 (minimum) to 100 (maximum), with a higher value indicating a better state of mental health. Additionally, norm-based scoring was performed by first z-transforming MCS scale using factor loadings for weighting served by the SOEP2004 data as the norm population [38] and then transforming them to a mean value of 50 and a standard deviation (SD) of 10. Further, the MCS scale was dichotomized with the sample mean value as a cut-off point to classify people at lower (≥MCS cut-off point of 44.5) and higher risk (<MCS cut-off point of 44.5) for mental health problems. This is consistent with the literature, in which optimal cut-off values to screen for depressive disorders in a general population vary between MCS scores of 42.0 [39] and 45.6 [40].

#### 2.2.3. Family Separation

Family separation was indicated by asking participants the following question: "Where do your (i) spouse or partner and (ii) child or children live now if present?" with predefined response categories: "Here in the facility/flat", "Nearby, in another facility/flat", "Elsewhere in Germany", "In our native country", "Elsewhere abroad", "I don't know" and "Deceased". Responses were categorized into separated (elsewhere in Germany, in our native country, elsewhere abroad, and I don't know) versus not separated (here in the facility/flat, nearby, in another facility/flat).

### 2.2.4. Sociodemographic and Postmigration Data

Sociodemographic and postmigration information included age, sex, country of origin, residence status according to the German residency law, and length of stay since the arrival to Germany. Information on country of origin was categorized into six groups: Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, African countries, and other countries. Residence status was categorized as secure (entitlement to asylum, refugee protection, subsidiary protection, and a national ban on deportation) and insecure (in procedure, temporary suspension of deportation, and a requirement to leave). The length of stay since arrival in Germany was determined using an official proof of arrival and the time of the interview, categorized as <12, 12–24, 25–36, and >36 months.
