1
|
Wen K, McGrath M, Acarturk C, Ilkkursun Z, Fuhr DC, Sondorp E, Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Roberts B. Post-traumatic growth and its predictors among Syrian refugees in Istanbul: A mental health population survey. J Migr Health 2020; 1-2:100010. [PMID: 34405165 PMCID: PMC8352006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2020.100010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The negative mental health effects of exposure to trauma are well-documented. However, some individuals are theorized to undergo post-traumatic growth (PTG) after exposure to trauma, potentially experiencing positive psychological change across five domains: appreciation for life, relationships with others, new possibilities in life, personal strength, and spiritual change. PTG is less studied in forcibly displaced populations in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to explore levels of PTG and associated factors among Syrian refugee adults living in Istanbul, Turkey. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1678 respondents. This study analyzed PTG data from 768 individuals as measured by the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate least squares linear regression modeling were used. Factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha tests assessed the psychometric properties of the PTGI. RESULTS The sample exhibited a moderate level of PTG at 55.94 (SD=22.91, range 0-105). Factor analysis of PTGI revealed only four factors instead of five, and the PTGI yielded high internal reliability (Cronbach's α=0.90). PTG and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had a curvilinear relationship, with the highest PTG levels experienced by those with moderate PTSD levels. Five other variables were significantly associated with PTG: older age, less education, somatic distress, and history of an overnight stay at a health facility for mental health care were associated with lower PTG, while more years of education were associated with higher PTG. CONCLUSIONS This study identified the role of the sociodemographic and psychological determinants that influence post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees in Istanbul. These findings could be used to inform future research and programs seeking to understand PTG in refugees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Wen
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Public Health and Policy, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, UK
| | | | - Ceren Acarturk
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Daniela C. Fuhr
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Public Health and Policy, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, UK
| | - Egbert Sondorp
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bayard Roberts
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Public Health and Policy, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, UK
| | - STRENGTHS consortium
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Health Services Research and Policy, Public Health and Policy, 15-17 Tavistock Place, London, UK
- KIT Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|