The longitudinal impact of war exposure on psychopathology in Syrian and Iraqi refugee youth

• DOI: 10.1177/00207640231177829
• Publication Date: 2023-06-06T06:21:22Z
• Authors: Liza Marie-Emilie...; Raya Nashef; Celine Bazzi; Kathleen Gorski; Arash Javanbakht
• Keywords: Longitudinal Study

War and natural disasters lead to forced migration - increased risk of adverse psychological outcomes in approximately 1% the global population. Though recent years have brought a greater understanding consequences war exposure on mental health for refugee children, little is known about longitudinal developmental impact these experiences youth.The aim this study was assess effect direct and/or combat trajectories symptoms related anxiety post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Syrian Iraqi youth following resettlement. Prevalence possible disorders PTSD also assessed.Participants included accompanied resettled state Michigan U.S. (n = 74). Youth filled out self-report measures trauma exposure, symptoms, upon arrival 2 later. Linear mixed-effects modeling used over time.Upon arrival, 38% screened positive an 4.1% met diagnostic thresholds PTSD. While did not predict changes symptom (p .481), time among children reporting (B 10.13, SE 4.22, t 2.40, p .019).Our findings suggest that without appropriate interventions, anxiety- trauma-related often do decrease. Further, may progressive worsening symptoms. These assessing type rather than focusing solely status, inform focused attention interventions trauma-exposed resettling as refugees.