Posttraumatic Stress in Asylum Seekers from Chechnya, Afghanistan, and West Africa: Differential Findings Obtained by Quantitative and Qualitative Methods in Three Austrian Samples

The Trauma of Chechen Refugee Women Living in Turkey: Meaning-Making and Coping Strategies

“…In addition, mental health workers should take into account the culture-specific symptoms of trauma. In line with previous studies indicating the suspicion of Chechen refugees (Renner, Salem, & Ottomeyer, 2007;Renner, Laireiter, & Maier, 2012), the Chechen refugee women in my study appeared suspicious during the interviews. When communicating with Chechen refugees, mental health workers should consider the suspiciousness of these women, be sensitive toward their needs, and take appropriate steps for securing their confidentiality and establishing rapport.…”

“…Despite the severity of the Chechen experience and the amount of refugees scattered around the world, little research has substantiated their psychological suffering (Jishkhariani, Kenchadze, & Beria, 2005;Maercker & Müller, 2004;Mollica et al, 2007;Rasmussen et al, 2007;Renner, Laireiter, & Maier, 2012;Renner, Salem, & Ottomeyer, 2007). Renner, Salem, and Ottomeyer (2007) found a high incidence (62%) of PTSD among Chechen refugees living in Austria. Maercker and Müller (2004) find an increased rate (75%) of PTSD among these refugees living in refugee camps in Ingushetia in their study.…”

“…In addition, Chechen refugees are found to suffer from feelings of suspicion, fearing complots against them and thus triggering a sense of helplessness. Furthermore, somatic symptoms such as feeling pins and needles on their skin, queasy stomachs, heart troubles, and pressure on their chest have been mentioned by Chechens (Renner, Salem, & Ottomeyer, 2007). They have experienced hard conditions in refugee camps (Médecins Sans Frontières, 2004).…”

“…In the literature, previous studies concerning the coping strategies of Chechen refugee women have revealed (a) concentrating on children, (b) being preoccupied with various indoor activities, (c) calling family members for support, and (d) chatting with other women in their community as important relief mechanisms (or coping strategies) for Chechen refugee women (Renner, Laireiter, & Maier, 2012;Renner, Salem, & Ottomeyer, 2007;Renner & Salem, 2009). In line with the above studies highlighting the positive effect of distraction and social support, some Chechen women in my study stressed the importance of chatting with friends and being preoccupied with children in dealing with traumatic war memories.…”

Psychological Distress in Afghan Refugees: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review

“…This requires culturally sensitizing clinicians and tailoring interventions accordingly to the unique needs of Afghan clients based on their explanatory models of distress. Various unpublished studies provide valuable information for mental health professionals working with Afghan clients [43], while others give context to somatization surrounding posttraumatic [34] and depressive [44] symptomatology, all of which are needed for better understanding how Afghan clients attribute mental health problems. Other more “ecological” approaches call for the integration of interventions into non-stigmatizing/existing community settings and activities, in order to enhance participation [30].…”