Predicting treatment outcomes of the Empowerment group intervention for refugees with affective disorders: Findings from the MEHIRA project

•Predictor studies of culture-sensitive refugee treatment are rare.•Empowerment is a novel group psychotherapy for refugees with affective disorders.•High pre-treatment depression and self-efficacy predicted symptom reduction.•Post-migration stressors and trauma indicators did not predict the outcome.•Findings may contribute to ensure effective and pragmatic health care for refugees.