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Post-Traumatic Stress in Asylum Seekers and Refugees From Chechnya, Afghanistan, and West Africa: Gender Differences in Symptomatology and Coping

Author

Listed:
  • Walter Renner

    (University of Innsbruck, Department of Psychology, Emotion, Cognition, and Interaction Unit, Innrain 52, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Ingrid Salem

    (Department of Psychology, University of Klagenfurt, Germany)

Abstract

Background: Internationally, a high number of refugees are in need of help as a consequence of post-traumatic stress or acculturation problems. Aims: The present study investigated the gender-specific requirements for such interventions taking clinical symptoms as well as coping strategies into account. Methods: Five psychometric instruments assessing anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, somatic symptoms, and social adaptation were administered and semi-structured interviews with n = 150 asylum seekers and refugees from Chechnya, Afghanistan, and West Africa were conducted. Results: On the level of total test scores, women reported significantly more somatic symptoms than men but there were no further gender differences. On the item level of the questionnaires as well as with respect to the categories obtained from the interview data, marked gender differences were found. Women, as compared to men, reported more somatic symptoms, emotional outbursts, and loss of sexual interest, while men reported detachment. For women, typical coping strategies were concentrating on their children and various indoor activities, while men preferred looking for work and socializing. Conclusion: Social psychiatric interventions should take gender-specific symptoms and coping strategies into account. For asylum seekers and refugees, same gender client-therapist dyads and groups are highly recommended.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:55:y:2009:i:2:p:99-108
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764008092341
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    Cited by:

    1. Robson Mandishekwa & Enard Mutenheri, 2021. "The economic activities among mining-induced displacees in Arda Transau, Zimbabwe," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 34(1), pages 51-70, April.
    2. Fatmeh Ahmad Alzoubi & Ahmed Mohammad Al-Smadi & Yazeed Mohammad Gougazeh, 2019. "Coping Strategies Used by Syrian Refugees in Jordan," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 28(4), pages 396-421, May.
    3. 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.
    4. Ville R. Hartonen & Pertti Väisänen & Liisa Karlsson & Sinikka Pöllänen, 2021. "‘Between heaven and hell’: Subjective well‐being of asylum seekers," International Journal of Social Welfare, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 30-45, January.
    5. Perjan Hashim Taha & Marit Sijbrandij, 2021. "Gender Differences in Traumatic Experiences, PTSD, and Relevant Symptoms among the Iraqi Internally Displaced Persons," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-11, September.
    6. Ali Afsharian & Maureen Dollard & Emily Miller & Teresa Puvimanasinghe & Adrian Esterman & Helena De Anstiss & Tahereh Ziaian, 2021. "Refugees at Work: The Preventative Role of Psychosocial Safety Climate against Workplace Harassment, Discrimination and Psychological Distress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-14, October.
    7. Ahmed Mohammad Al-Smadi & Loai Issa Tawalbeh & Omar Salem Gammoh & Ala Ashour & Fatmeh Ahmad Alzoubi & Paul Slater, 2017. "Predictors of Coping Strategies Employed by Iraqi Refugees in Jordan," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 26(5), pages 592-607, October.

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