biostudies-literatureYue RUniversity of Liverpool40545https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12627445biostudies-literatureUnknown15(1)Migration can be a stressful process. While conventional studies often focus on voluntary migration, reluctant migration and its association with adjustment disorder remain underexplored. This study examined the prevalence rate and determinants of adjustment disorder among Hong Kong migrants arriving in the UK after mid-2020, following the UK's announcement of a humanitarian visa route for eligible Hong Kong citizens, namely the British National (Overseas) Visa Scheme. An online survey was conducted on 1,310 valid Hong Kong migrants. Findings indicate 31.8% of the respondents were likely experiencing adjustment disorder and the disorder remains highly prevalent 2 years after their arrival. The most common life stressors included moving to a new home (41.1%), language barrier (32.9%), pressScientific reportsThe pains amidst starting a new life: investigating adjustment disorder in Hong Kong migrants' transition to the UK.PMC12627445Early Career Researchers & Returners Fund (Round 2022)Early Career Researchers & Returners Fund (Round 2022)Lau BHPYue RfalseThe pains amidst starting a new life: investigating adjustment disorder in Hong Kong migrants' transition to the UK.Migration can be a stressful process. While conventional studies often focus on voluntary migration, reluctant migration and its association with adjustment disorder remain underexplored. This study examined the prevalence rate and determinants of adjustment disorder among Hong Kong migrants arriving in the UK after mid-2020, following the UK's announcement of a humanitarian visa route for eligible Hong Kong citizens, namely the British National (Overseas) Visa Scheme. An online survey was conducted on 1,310 valid Hong Kong migrants. Findings indicate 31.8% of the respondents were likely experiencing adjustment disorder and the disorder remains highly prevalent 2 years after their arrival. The most common life stressors included moving to a new home (41.1%), language barrier (32.9%), press2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Nov2026-06-11T05:07:14.026Z2026-06-11T03:08:11.635ZS-EPMC126274454125396010.1038/s41598-025-24311-1