Psychiatry (New York)
Volume 81, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 54-70

Posttraumatic Stress Among Syrian Refugees: Trauma Exposure Characteristics, Trauma Centrality, and Emotional Suppression (Article)

Chung M.C.* , Shakra M. , AlQarni N. , AlMazrouei M. , Al Mazrouei S. , Al Hashimi S.
  • a Department of Educational Psychology, Chinese University of Hong, Hong Kong
  • b University of Helsinki, Finland
  • c Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • d Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • e Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • f Zayed University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Objectives: This study revisited the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and examined a hypothesized model describing the interrelationship between trauma exposure characteristics, trauma centrality, emotional suppression, PTSD, and psychiatric comorbidity among Syrian refugees. Methods: A total of 564 Syrian refugees participated in the study and completed the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Centrality of Event Scale, and Courtauld Emotional Control Scale. Results: Of the participants, 30% met the cutoff for PTSD. Trauma exposure characteristics (experiencing or witnessing horror and murder, kidnapping or disappearance of family members or friends) were associated with trauma centrality, which was associated with emotional suppression. Emotional suppression was associated with PTSD and psychiatric comorbid symptom severities. Suppression mediated the path between trauma centrality and distress outcomes. Conclusions: Almost one-third of refugees can develop PTSD and other psychiatric problems following exposure to traumatic events during war. A traumatized identity can develop, of which life-threatening experiences is a dominant feature, leading to suppression of depression with associated psychological distress. © Washington School of Psychiatry.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

anxiety depression refugee Emotions Syrian Arab Republic mental health human Refugees comorbidity injury statistics and numerical data coping behavior Mental Disorders mental disease Young Adult Humans psychology male female risk factor Harvard Trauma Questionnaire questionnaire Inhibition (Psychology) trauma centrality Courtauld Emotional Control Scale prevalence Centrality of Event Scale emotional suppression Article emotion adult family relation posttraumatic stress disorder Syria Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic General Health Questionnaire
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85042939395&doi=10.1080%2f00332747.2017.1354620&partnerID=40&md5=35eed56b260f965e2f219725d17431fc
DOI: 10.1080/00332747.2017.1354620
ISSN: 00332747
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English