Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress in Unaccompanied Young Refugees During Their Flight: A Longitudinal Cross-Country Study

Background: Unaccompanied young refugees (UYRs) constitute an especially vulnerable population who report high rates of trauma and mental health problems. There is a significant gap in the literature on trauma and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in UYRs who are still on the move and live in precarious circumstances such as refugee camps. This study therefore aimed at investigating pre- and peri-migration trauma of UYRs, longitudinal trajectories of PTSD, and the impact of gender, trauma, and daily stressors on PTSD over time. Methods: This longitudinal, mixed-method, and multi-country study was conducted in various settings (e.g. refugee camps) across nine European countries. A representative and heterogeneous sample of N = 187 UYRs (78.4% male) from 29 different countries was assessed via interviews at 3 time-points during a period of 27 months. Data was analyzed via growth curve modelling.Results: Prevalence rates of traumatic experiences ranged between 29.5-91.9%. PTSD scores were high but significantly decreased over time (b = -0.98; p = .004). Females reported higher PTSD compared with males at baseline (p = .002), but gender did not influence the longitudinal trajectory of PTSD. Pre-migration trauma had a significant effect on PTSD at baseline (b = 0.48; p = .042). More daily stressors resulted in higher PTSD across time (b = 0.13-0.26; p ≤ .001). Conclusions: The number of traumatic events pre- and peri- migration, daily stressors and PTSD in this heterogeneous sample are to say the least alarming. Humanitarian and political assistance is urgently needed to curb the oftentimes life-threatening conditions UYRs face during their migration.

Towards a Theology of Migration: A Survival Perspective from Isaiah 1-12

The aim of this paper is to turn the lens towards the pre-migration and resilience processes within the context of the imminent forced migration as found in Isaiah 1-12. The article addresses not only the matter of pre-migration and collective trauma but also the ensuing resilience and hope that is embedded in the text. Understanding the concepts that underpin premigration to trauma and hope, the authors have engaged Isaiah 1-12, which present substantial pre-migration trauma markers of collective trauma, resilience and hope in the text. This article offers original research in the field of pre-migration trauma studies in Isaiah 1-12, as very little research has been done on this topic. An attempt was made to start a new conversation and understanding about forced migration and trauma within the field of Isaiah 1-12 and biblical studies.

Refugees’ Perceived Mental Health Post-Migration To Canada: Afghans, Colombians And The Karen (Burmese)

This study seeks to understand the factors that influence the perceived mental health of Afghan, Colombian and Karen (Burmese) refugees post-migration to Canada. It also examines what the differences and commonalities are among and between these groups with regards to the factors that influence their perceived mental health. Moreover, it explores whether these groups perceived that, as a result of their exposure to pre-migration trauma that they are at a high risk for developing mental health problems when they experience post-migration stressors. This study found that contextual factors, discrimination, and lack of resources and support affect refugee groups’ perceived mental health post-migration to Canada. Another finding was that only the Karen (Burmese) participants (some) reported that, a result of their exposure to pre-migration trauma that post-migration stressors affect them greatly. The information found in this study could potentially be used to inform policies and programs that protect refugee health.

Refugees’ Perceived Mental Health Post-Migration To Canada: Afghans, Colombians And The Karen (Burmese)

This study seeks to understand the factors that influence the perceived mental health of Afghan, Colombian and Karen (Burmese) refugees post-migration to Canada. It also examines what the differences and commonalities are among and between these groups with regards to the factors that influence their perceived mental health. Moreover, it explores whether these groups perceived that, as a result of their exposure to pre-migration trauma that they are at a high risk for developing mental health problems when they experience post-migration stressors. This study found that contextual factors, discrimination, and lack of resources and support affect refugee groups’ perceived mental health post-migration to Canada. Another finding was that only the Karen (Burmese) participants (some) reported that, a result of their exposure to pre-migration trauma that post-migration stressors affect them greatly. The information found in this study could potentially be used to inform policies and programs that protect refugee health.

Digging Up the Past and Surviving El Salvador’s Phantoms: Salvadoran-American Post-Conflict Traumatic Memory and Reconciliation

This article focuses on Salvadoran-American poetry that explores Salvadorans’ national traumas of war and displacement. In these poems, war trauma evolves into a post-conflict, post-migration trauma that calls for reconciliation with war memories as well as with a violent, unstable present. This study focuses on the poetry of Jorge Argueta (1961), William Archila (1968), and Javier Zamora (1990), three poets born in El Salvador and immigrants to the US. Studies of trauma and reconciliation in post-conflict societies frame the analysis of poetry that digs up and reconstitutes the dead for a Salvadoran diaspora still un-reconciled with its trauma.

Life Change, Social Identity, and Health

Life change affects health. Research aimed at understanding the consequences of life change has primarily focused on the important roles played by stress, social support, individual differences, and broader socioeconomic factors in shaping health outcomes, most notably mental health decline. In this review we extend these accounts by exploring social identity–based determinants of adjustment to life change. We do so by drawing on social identity theorizing and, in particular, the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC). This points to the importance of multiple, maintained, new, and compatible group memberships as determinants of people's responses and adjustment to life change. We apply this model to understand the health consequences of adjustment to life change in four diverse areas: pursuit of higher education, migration, trauma and resilience, and recovery from illness and injury. Finally, we provide direction for future research on SIMIC and the health consequences of life change.