Trauma, Post-Migration Stress, and Mental Health: A Comparative Analysis of Refugees and Immigrants in the United States

Abstract

Numerous studies describe mental health effects of pre-migration trauma and post-resettlement stress among refugees, yet less research examines these associations with non-refugee immigrants. Additionally, few studies assess the prevalence and impact of traumatic experiences after settlement in a new country. Using a U.S.-based representative sample of Asian (n = 1637) and Latino (n = 1620) refugees and immigrants, we investigated how traumatic events prior to and after migration, and post-migration stressors, are associated with mental illness and distress. Pre-migration trauma posed risk across a broad range of psychological outcomes for Asian refugees and Latino immigrants. Deleterious effects of post-migration trauma were notable for both groups of refugees and immigrants. Discrimination, acculturative stress, and family conflict increased risk for disorder and distress across groups in complex ways. Findings highlight the importance of examining trauma and stress at pre-and post-migration phases across migrant populations, including those not labeled as refugees.

Migrant women’s experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and maternity care in European countries: A systematic review

“…Addressing the wider determinants of health which impact on migrant women requires closer cross-agency working with effective collaboration between healthcare, social care, the voluntary sector and communities [2]. This current review also highlighted that many migrant women have experienced trauma prior to and during migration, which is widely recognised to impact on mental health and wellbeing in the destination country [114]. Maternity services should develop trauma-informed care [115] to promote a culture of safety and avoid re-traumatisation through staff training and reviewing policies and procedures through a trauma lens and developing pathways of support to meet the needs of these vulnerable women [115].…”

Identifying the critical time points for mental health of asylum seekers and refugees in high-income countries

“…This is more likely if the experience of torture is accompanied by intense emotions of anger, fear and perceived uncontrollability (Le et al, 2018). The risk of developing a mental disorder also increases if a person is exposed to multiple potentially Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences 3 Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences traumatic events and/or if post-migration adversities occur in addition to traumatic events before migration (Chen et al, 2017a;Lee et al, 2017;Nickerson et al, 2017;Tinghög et al, 2017;Kartal et al, 2018;Nosè et al, 2018;Sangalang et al, 2018;Schweitzer et al, 2018;Song et al, 2018). As well as traumatic events, exposure to economic hardship and social deprivation in home countries and a history of mental health problems before migration can predict mental disorders after settlement in host countries (Anderson et al, 2017;.…”

Möglichkeiten Und Barrieren Für Kommunikation Und Soziale Partizi Pation Geflüchteter in Österreich Im Spannungsfeld Verschiedener Sozialitäten

“…In der sozialwissenschaftlichen Literatur wird darauf verwiesen, dass Geflüchtete vor allem in der transitorischen Phase, aber auch darüber hinaus, eine Reihe an Prä-und Postmigrationsstressoren ausgesetzt sind 8 (siehe KHAWAJA et al 2008;ONYUT et al 2009, SINNERBRIK, et al 1997SANGALANG et al 2018). Obwohl die Verarbeitung des Erlebten selbst eine enorme Herausforderung sein kann, tritt auch nach der Ankunft eine Reihe an weiteren Stressfaktoren hinzu.…”