Predicting PTSD and Complex PTSD among Iraqi and Syrian Refugees

The present study investigated the cumulative and potential synergistic effect of prolonged adversity from pre-migration to post-migration phases in the prediction of posttraumatic stress [PTSD & Complex PTSD (CPTSD)] among Iraqi and Syrian refugees in the U.S. This study included recent 51 Iraqi and 43 Syrian (n = 94) refugees in Massachusetts. Quantitative data were collected through surveys measuring trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress. Effects were evaluated through a series of hierarchical and multiple regression analyses. Preliminary analyses indicated pre-and post-migration stressors together predict PTSD but not CPTSD. However, only post-migration discrimination predicted CPTSD. Post-migration stress exposure emerged as a significant moderator between pre-migration stress exposure and psychological distress (i.e., PTSD). Findings provided support for the cumulative impact of refugees’ exposure to trauma from the pre-to-post-migration process, and shed light on the importance of the post-migration context in the prediction of PTSD.