Trauma and Resiliency: A Tale of a Syrian Refugee

Barkil-Oteo, Andres; Abdallah, Waseem; Mourra, Sarah; Jefee-Bahloul, Hussam

doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17030358

Cited by 10 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Based on the findings; it is critical for counselors to move away from a deficit-based approach on mental health concerns to a strengths-based model. Syrian refugees who present with trauma may meet diagnosis for PTSD, and they may often present with somatization symptoms (Barkil-Oteo et al, 2018), which are considered an appropriate form of emotional expression in many collectivist cultures (Tummala-Narra, 2007). Rather than pathologizing such symptoms as an inability to verbalize emotional experiences, reframing these experiences as mind–body connections, as some participants emphasized in the interviews, may be one way to move away from a deficit-based model.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Steel et al (2009) conducted a meta-analysis of 80,000 refugees and found that PTSD and major depressive disorder were the most commonly studied mental health disorders among refugee populations, and that these diagnoses affected up to 30% of refugee trauma survivors. Syrian refugees with PTSD often present with somatization symptoms (Barkil-Oteo et al, 2018). These symptoms are considered an appropriate form of emotional expression in many collectivist cultures (Tummala-Narra, 2007), and point to the importance of integrating mind and body for holistic healing (Feltham, 2008).…”

Section: Mental Health Challenges Among Syrian Refugeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Concepts of Resilience Among Trauma-Exposed Syrian Refugees

Atari-Khan

Covington

Gerstein

et al. 2021

The Counseling Psychologist

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Syrian refugees comprise the largest population of internally displaced people in the world, with about 18,000 Syrian refugees resettled in the United States from 2011 to 2016. Although many of these individuals experience trauma that can lead to different mental health problems, most are quite resilient. This qualitative study explores themes of resilience in Syrian refugees, and how these themes differ from Western ideas of resilience. Eight in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Syrian adults in the United States. Questions focused on three experiences: preflight, flight, and postflight. Interviews were conducted in Arabic with a bilingual translator. Thematic analysis was used to identify concepts of resilience. Themes that emerged included: life in Syria outside of conflict, life in Syria during war, seeking refuge, life in the United States, hardships and challenges, systemic failure, comparison between cultures, health and well-being, external sources of resilience, and internal sources of resilience. We discuss research and counseling implications of these results.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Mental Health Challenges Among Syrian Refugeesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concepts of Resilience Among Trauma-Exposed Syrian Refugees

Atari-Khan

Covington

Gerstein

et al. 2021

The Counseling Psychologist

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“…Nevertheless, the general lack of security and safety, generated by multiple factors such as, for example, living in an area targeted by air raids, can be expected to have a strong impact on vast proportions of the population (see Table S1). An overemphasis on the effects of direct exposure may tend to overlook cultural, contextual, and resilience factors (Barkil-Oteo et al., 2018), which are important in terms of research, public awareness, intervention designs, and treatment plans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We would therefore expect that in a study using clinical interviews, the percentage of people who fulfill the diagnostic criteria for the relevant disorders would be lower than the rates presented here. On the other hand, the response to traumatic events may tend towards somatic symptoms rather than merely intrusive memories and avoidance, especially when the adverse events, daily stressors and trauma conditions are still ongoing (Barkil-Oteo, et al., 2018). This, in addition to the clear association between somatization and PTSD, might explain the high rate of somatization in the current sample.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and predictors of psychopathology in the war-afflicted Syrian population

Selmo¹,

Knaevelsrud

Nabil

et al. 2020

Transcult Psychiatry

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Research on the psychological impact of war on affected populations is important for the planning and provision of interventions. However, most studies that address the effects of political violence have been restricted to Western countries, and even after six years of civil war in Syria, there has been no study addressing its psychological impact on the general population. The present study used an online survey to examine the level of psychological symptoms and correlates of distress in a sample of 387 subjects from different areas of Syria. We used t-tests to compare symptoms across zones with different levels of war activity, and multiple regression models to identify predictors of distress. Results indicate a high level of psychological distress indicative of psychopathology in all regions across the country. Rates were higher in areas with more intensive exposure (‘hot’ zones). Greater symptom severity was associated with living in a hot zone, female gender, older age, the number of potentially traumatic events, daily stressors, and (low) perceived feeling of safety; whereas social support, religiosity, and religious coping were associated with lower levels of symptoms. The elevated levels of mental health problems and direct relation between the level of exposure to violence and poorer mental health point to the need for mental health services. Reducing daily stressors and ensuring safety could contribute significantly to better mental health, although this does not replace the need for evidence-based psychotherapy. The planning and delivery of psychological interventions by NGOs should be informed by issues related to stigma, lack of understanding and acceptance of psychological care.

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“…[7][8][9] Some argue for the prominence of the new category of complex PTSD in this population. 10 Clinical reports 11 and research confirm that the classic PTSD formulation has many limitations in capturing the symptoms of psychological trauma in refugees. 12 van der Kolk and colleagues have demonstrated that the variety of clinical manifestations of people with 'complex trauma' histories can be missed when adhering to the official PTSD classification, whether using the ICD or the DSM.…”

Section: The Psychiatric Burden Of Conflictmentioning

confidence: 93%

Addressing psychiatric care in conflict zones: recommendations for the Arab region

El‐Khoury¹,

Barkil-Oteo²,

Adam³

2020

BJPsych Int.

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The Arab world has struggled with conflict and political turmoil for several decades, rendering its already underdeveloped mental healthcare system unable to serve the psychiatric needs of victims of violence and trauma, with consequences that extend far beyond the cessation of hostilities. This role has become incumbent on international relief agencies, which have expanded mental health programmes in countries of conflict and refuge. Although their intervention has overall been positive, their mission is usually short term, leaving countries unable to maintain these advantages when the funding ends. The authors advocate for a sustainable framework that emphasises a larger role for regional and local actors. Expertise that is culturally and socially grounded could take the initiative in research, training and deployment in collaboration with non-governmental organisations, allowing for comprehensive development of the mental health sector.

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Trauma and Resiliency: A Tale of a Syrian Refugee

Cited by 10 publications

References 35 publications

Concepts of Resilience Among Trauma-Exposed Syrian Refugees

Concepts of Resilience Among Trauma-Exposed Syrian Refugees

Prevalence and predictors of psychopathology in the war-afflicted Syrian population

Addressing psychiatric care in conflict zones: recommendations for the Arab region

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