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Perceived health, adversity, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Syrian and Iraqi refugees

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  • Arash Javanbakht
  • Lana Ruvolo Grasser
  • Soyeong Kim
  • Cynthia L Arfken
  • Nicole Nugent

Abstract

Background: Exposure to armed conflict and fleeing country of origin for refugees has been associated with poorer psychological health. Methods: Within the first month following their arrival in the United States, 152 Syrian and Iraqi refugees were screened in a primary care setting for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression and rated their perceived health, and perceived level of adversity of violence, armed conflict/flight. The moderating effects of psychiatric symptoms on the relation between perceived adversity and perceived health were assessed. Results: Three models based on diagnosis (PTSD, anxiety, and depression) were tested. While significant effects were found on perceived adversity negatively influencing perceived health across diagnoses, slightly different patterns emerged based on diagnosis. Discussion: Findings suggest that refugees’ perception regarding adversity of violence, armed conflict, and flight may contribute to perceived health, with a moderating role of clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.

Suggested Citation

  • Arash Javanbakht & Lana Ruvolo Grasser & Soyeong Kim & Cynthia L Arfken & Nicole Nugent, 2022. "Perceived health, adversity, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Syrian and Iraqi refugees," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 68(1), pages 118-128, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:68:y:2022:i:1:p:118-128
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764020978274
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Signe Nielsen & Allan Krasnik, 2010. "Poorer self-perceived health among migrants and ethnic minorities versus the majority population in Europe: a systematic review," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(5), pages 357-371, October.
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    1. Roitblat, Yulia & Nehuliaieva, Liliia & Nedilko, Roksolana & Shashkov, Yurii & Shterenshis, Michael, 2022. "Immediate physical needs of refugees during the Ukrainian armed conflict of 2022," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(12), pages 1303-1309.
    2. Dalia Khalil & Zinah George & Thomas Templin & Elizabeth Jenuwine & Arash Javanbakht, 2023. "Perceived adversity and psychological distress in refugee married couples resettling in the United States," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(5), pages 1268-1276, August.

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