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Coping with Trauma and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Exploring Intentions and Lay Beliefs about Appropriate Strategies among Asylum-Seeking Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Freyja Grupp

    (Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, 35032 Marburg, Germany)

  • Marie Rose Moro

    (AP-HP, Hospital Cochin, University of Paris, Unité Inserm 1018, CESP, 75014 Paris, France)

  • Sara Skandrani

    (Hospital Cochin Paris, University of Paris Nanterre UR4430, 75014 Paris, France)

  • Ricarda Mewes

    (Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, 1010 Vienna, Austria)

Abstract

Asylum-seekers are at high risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to frequent exposure to trauma. We investigated the coping intentions and lay beliefs about appropriate coping strategies among asylum-seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa in Germany. The study applied a methodological triangulation strategy with a vignette describing symptoms of PTSD. In a quantitative part, asylum-seekers (n = 119) that were predominantly from Eritrea (n = 41), Somalia (n = 36), and Cameroon (n = 25), and a native comparison sample (n = 120) responded to questionnaires assessing coping, traumatic events, and post-traumatic symptoms. In a qualitative part, asylum-seekers (n = 26) discussed coping strategies in focus groups. In the quantitative part, asylum-seekers displayed higher intentions for religious coping, emotional support, and denial compared to the native participants. Asylum-seekers with a higher symptom load expressed lower intentions to seek instrumental support. Asylum-seekers with a lower educational level and those with a higher symptom load expressed higher intentions for substance use. In the qualitative part, we identified three superordinate themes: (a) religion, (b) social support systems, and (c) cognitive strategies. Asylum-seekers expressed coping intentions that are associated with an adaptive response to trauma. Less-educated asylum-seekers with a higher symptom load might constitute a particularly vulnerable group.

Suggested Citation

  • Freyja Grupp & Marie Rose Moro & Sara Skandrani & Ricarda Mewes, 2022. "Coping with Trauma and Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Exploring Intentions and Lay Beliefs about Appropriate Strategies among Asylum-Seeking Migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1783-:d:742301
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter Renner & Ingrid Salem, 2009. "Post-Traumatic Stress in Asylum Seekers and Refugees From Chechnya, Afghanistan, and West Africa: Gender Differences in Symptomatology and Coping," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 55(2), pages 99-108, March.
    2. Karasz, Alison, 2005. "Cultural differences in conceptual models of depression," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(7), pages 1625-1635, April.
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