Abstract
BackgroundYoung Middle Eastern male refugees are currently among the most vulnerable groups in Europe. Most of them have experienced potentially traumatic events (PTEs) such as rape, torture, or violent assaults. Compared to their peers, young refugees suffer more from internalizing and externalizing symptoms, especially when unaccompanied. Little is known about the cumulative impact of experiencing different types of PTEs on mental health outcomes (polytraumatization) of young male refugees from the Middle East. We investigated (1) whether there is a dose–response relationship between multiple PTE types experienced and mental health outcomes, (2) whether individual types of PTEs are particularly important, and (3) to what extent these are differentially associated with mental health outcomes among unaccompanied or accompanied peers.MethodsIn total, 151 young Middle Eastern male refugees in Germany (Mage = 16.81 years, SDage = 2.01) answered questionnaires on PTEs, mental health, and post-migration stress.ResultsHierarchical regression analyses revealed, while controlling for age, duration of stay, unaccompanied status, and post-migration stress, (1) a dose–effect between PTE types on both internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Moreover, (2) regarding internalizing symptoms, violent family separation and experiencing life-threatening medical problems were particularly crucial. The latter was driven by unaccompanied refugees, who also reported higher levels of substance use.ConclusionsThe results extend findings from the literature and suggest that not only may greater polytraumatization be related to greater depression among refugees, but also to a range of other mental health outcomes from the internalizing and externalizing symptom domains. Furthermore, the results highlight the mental health risks that unaccompanied and accompanied refugee adolescents face after exposure to PTEs, and provide information for practitioners as well as researchers about event types that may be particularly relevant.
Highlights
Young Middle Eastern male refugees are currently among the most vulnerable groups in Europe
Complex conflicts such as the Syrian civil war or violent unrest in Iraq or Afghanistan contributed to making home a life-threatening place. Before and during their flight to Europe, most young refugees were exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTE) such as torture, rape, and other aversive situations associated with violence [7]
The results showed no additional significant predictive power of any of the PTEs and other variables, but in the overall analysis, younger age appeared to be associated with fewer symptoms, βage = − 0.20, 95% confidence intervals (CI) [− 0.38, − 0.06], p = 0.023 with adjusted R2conduct = 0.10, F(12, 135) = 2.08, p = 0.014 for the final step
Summary
Young Middle Eastern male refugees are currently among the most vulnerable groups in Europe. Most of them have experienced potentially traumatic events (PTEs) such as rape, torture, or violent assaults Compared to their peers, young refugees suffer more from internalizing and externalizing symptoms, especially when unaccompa‐ nied. Most refugees came from Middle Eastern countries such as Syria and Afghanistan Complex conflicts such as the Syrian civil war or violent unrest in Iraq or Afghanistan contributed to making home a life-threatening place. Before and during their flight to Europe, most young refugees were exposed to potentially traumatic events (PTE) such as torture, rape, and other aversive situations associated with violence [7]. Up to 97% have had traumatic experiences, having been exposed to dangers almost without protection [63]
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