The role of war trauma survivors in managing their own mental conditions, Syria civil war as an example

Abstract

War trauma leads to a wide range of psychological consequences and disorders that can be quite disabling to individuals and their families. At times of war, existing resources become strained to cope with all demands of trauma sufferers. The survivors’ role of managing their own mental conditions becomes highly important and relevant as a way of reducing the resulted suffering. Unfortunately, this role is often ignored or trivialized by all concerned. The self-efficacy and resilience of people are the factors not to be underestimated and should be built upon. Reaching solutions are generally more satisfying and long-lasting when the affected person has taken a positive active part in finding them. Encouraging the use of own resources and experiences and using own problem-solving skills can be all that is needed for survivors to feel enabled. Engaging survivors and focusing on promoting recovery and social inclusion along with the use of self-help skills make them feel more positive about their own conditions. Being more involved, taking even small steps reduces the development of learned helplessness and reduces the psychiatric morbidities.

South Sudanese Refugee Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Torture: Health and Justice Service Responses in Northern Uganda

“…The role of refugee survivors in self-managing their psychological well-being needs to be better understood and encouraged. This gives further support that an integrated approach is required for refugees in these settings [29].…”

“…Refugees valued the opportunity to narrate their experiences in the current research and found this validating both in terms of their health and as an important form of informal justice recovery. Greater involvement of CSOs and local NGOs in supporting refugees' own solutions would be a starting point for this process [29]. The research emphasises the benefits of the importance of listening, validating and documenting refugee experiences on a regular basis in order to provide more culturally sensitive, gendered and effective services that more closely meet their specific needs [41].…”

“…The team also advises that CSOs be involved in informing services, to include traditional approaches to recovery building on refugees own skills [29], provision of psycho-social groups where required for refugees and their children, whilst also involving the healthcare teams and community-based organisations.…”

The role of refugee and migrant migration status on medication adherence: Mediation through illness perceptions

“…More positive beliefs about the sense of internal control have been associated with coping strategies, which are generally considered more adaptive such as positive reinterpretation, seeking social support and actively trying to tackle the problem [47]. Traumatized refugees who experienced war, forced migration or violence perceive absence of control over their lives-this can contribute to poor health as diet, exercise and medical treatment are neglected [48].…”

Oral Health-Related Quality of Life and Self-Esteem of Children with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Living in War Zones: A case-control study

“…Children living in regions of war are exposed to numerous types of traumatic events that have a significant impact on their psychological and physical wellbeing (1). Various psychological responses are observed in children such as increased clinginess, mutism, attachment difficulties, anxiety, behavioral problems, sleep disturbances, bed wetting, and PTSD (2). PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can occur following the experiencing or witnessing life-threatening events such as military combat.…”