Traumatology
Volume 17, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 1-7

Belief systems as coping factors in traumatized refugees: A prospective study (Review)

Orosa F.J.E. , Brune M. , Huter K. , Fischer-Ortman J. , Haasen C.*
  • a Community Action Group, Madrid, Spain, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • b Haveno Psychotherapy and Intercultural Communication, Hamburg, Germany
  • c Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • d Haveno Psychotherapy and Intercultural Communication, Hamburg, Germany
  • e Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center, Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany

Abstract

Belief systems have been considered to be coping factors for traumatized refugees. The authors present a prospective and extended version of a previous retrospective study reviewing the importance of different coping factors such as belief systems, previous traumatization, and social integration in the treatment of traumatized refugees. A longitudinal design was used to analyze the treatment of 49 refugees, finding that amelioration of posttraumatic symptomatology is related to social and intellectual factors, namely, education, living with a partner, a secure resident status, and the use of medication. The previous level of traumatization did not present an obstacle to the therapy. Although nonsignificant, those patients who had strong belief systems showed better improvement. The importance of sociocultural and beliefs as coping and therapeutic factors is discussed. © The Author(s) 2011.

Author Keywords

ideology posttraumatic stress disorder Refugees Coping Belief systems religiosity

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79957866888&doi=10.1177%2f1534765609358468&partnerID=40&md5=a23ad0290f625524e35e3f3e5e35c963
DOI: 10.1177/1534765609358468
ISSN: 15347656
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English