Abstract
Current evidence suggests positive effects of exercise on posttraumatic stress symptoms; however, knowledge about how these effects are achieved is limited. Thus, this study aims to contribute to a more holistic understanding of these effects. We performed a single case study of a war and torture survivor, who was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, and who was participant of the sport and exercise therapy program Movi Kune. Participant observation was conducted as well as semi-structured interviews with the participant and his psychotherapist. Data analysis resulted in the proposal of different processes: The focus on bodily sensations related to an exposure effect, contributing to improvements in body awareness, coping behavior, and affect regulation, whereas the focus on playing related to an improved performance, presence, enjoyment, and mastery experiences, pointing toward distraction and motivational-restorative effects. The findings also advice to be cautious as participants may be exposed to negative sensations and trauma-related triggers.
Highlights
In conflict regions and humanitarian crises, people are subjected to experience unimaginable atrocities and repeated violations of their basic human rights
Premigration traumatic events, as well as forced migration and postmigration stressors, contribute to severe psychological distress and loss of resources. This imbalance between stressors and available resources often results in major health problems, that is, a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders
Kartal and Kiropoulos (2016) concluded that acculturative stress relating to postmigratory experiences was associated with increased posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety symptoms among refugees living in Austria
Summary
In conflict regions and humanitarian crises, people are subjected to experience unimaginable atrocities and repeated violations of their basic human rights (e.g., persecution, violence, abuse, torture, and humiliation; Hebebrand et al, 2016; United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2015). Premigration traumatic events (e.g., violence, torture, combat experiences), as well as forced migration and postmigration stressors (e.g., resettlement difficulties, immigration detention, temporary protection, and acculturative hassles), contribute to severe psychological distress and loss of resources (e.g., loss of social network; limited access to health care, educational, and occupational opportunities; language barriers; unfamiliar environment; Drožđek, 2015) This imbalance between stressors and available resources often results in major health problems, that is, a high prevalence of posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, and anxiety disorders. The sociopolitical climate in Austria during the so-called “refugee crises” in 2015 and 2016 was polarized, including, on one hand, discourses about welcoming the recently arrived refugees and support from individual citizens and nongovernmental organizations, on the other hand, discourses about the need to close borders and migration routes and perform an extended and accelerated deportation (Rheindorf & Wodak, 2017) Discourses such as these fuel the fear of deportation, anxiety, and a sense of insecurity, and may negatively influence the psychosocial health of refugees. Without a healthy embodiment and body awareness, the possibility of experiencing a sense of security and pleasure in the body and the capacity to feel grounded and centered is often impaired (Rothschild, 2000)
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