Post-traumatic growth among Syrian refugees in Turkey: the role of coping strategies and religiosity

Abstract

As the 9th year of the Syrian Civil War rages on, this paper explores the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Syrian refugees in Turkey, with the aim of determining the role of coping styles in this community that displays increasing PTG levels, while controlling for the religiosity factor. 805 Syrian refugees completed self-reported surveys which measured trauma exposure, PTSD, PTG, coping styles, religiosity, and other demographics. PTSD scores revealed high clinical concern for 83% of the study population, with moderate levels of concurrent PTG. When compared with emotion-focused coping styles, utilising problem-focused coping mechanisms (PFCs) predicted greater PTG. Besides PFCs, the intensity of intrusion symptoms, level of exposure to pre-war traumatic experiences, and strength of religiosity also provided predictive power of the model; determining the direction of PTG. Results indicate the importance of coping styles as -predictors of PTG. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in the contexts of religiosity, turning to religion as a coping mechanism, and active coping strategies in advancing our understanding of what PTG really entails. The reported rates pose concern and must be considered within the response of host countries’ immigration policies.