ESCAPE STRESS, SLEEP DISORDERS, AND ASSIMILATION OF REFUGEES

Abstract

Questionnaire data from 38 Czechoslovak refugees living in Switzerland indicated that repetitive nightmares about escaping the exhomeland were more frequent in refugees who described their real life act of escape as more frightening or risky. The level of satisfaction with life in the host country was unrelated to the incidence of escape nightmares but was inversely related to incidence of other sleep problems (restless sleep and difficulties falling asleep).