Perceived health, adversity, and posttraumatic stress disorder in Syrian and Iraqi refugees

Abstract

Background: Exposure to armed conflict and fleeing country of origin for refugees has been associated with poorer psychological health. Methods: Within the first month following their arrival in the United States, 152 Syrian and Iraqi refugees were screened in a primary care setting for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression and rated their perceived health, and perceived level of adversity of violence, armed conflict/flight. The moderating effects of psychiatric symptoms on the relation between perceived adversity and perceived health were assessed. Results: Three models based on diagnosis (PTSD, anxiety, and depression) were tested. While significant effects were found on perceived adversity negatively influencing perceived health across diagnoses, slightly different patterns emerged based on diagnosis. Discussion: Findings suggest that refugees’ perception regarding adversity of violence, armed conflict, and flight may contribute to perceived health, with a moderating role of clinically significant symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.