Mechanisms Explaining the Relationship Between Maternal Torture Exposure and Youth Adjustment In Resettled Refugees: A Pilot Examination of Generational Trauma Through Moderated Mediation

Overview

Journal J Immigr Minor Health

Publisher Springer

Specialties Public Health
Social Sciences

Date 2020 Jul 24

PMID 32699993

Citations 5

Authors

Sarah J Hoffman

Maria M Vukovich

Abigail H Gewirtz

Jayne A Fulkerson

Cheryl L Robertson

Joseph E Gaugler

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The intergenerational effects of trauma resulting from torture and war are complex and multi-faceted and have important implications for the family system. The current study aimed to identify key relationships between refugee maternal caregiver exposure to torture, mental health, and physical health with maternal-reported youth adjustment. Ninety-six Karen maternal caregivers originating from Burma and resettled in the United States participated in a cross-sectional, explanatory mixed methods study. Maternal mental health distress was found to mediate the relationship betweenmaternal torture experiences and youth adjustment, R = .357. Physical health problems was found to moderate the degree to which mental health distress mediated the relationship between torture and war trauma experiences and youth adjustment, R = .409. The current study is significant in that it enhances our mechanistic understanding of factors relevant to the intergenerational effects of trauma within families where maternal caregivers experienced trauma from torture and/or war.

Citing Articles

A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Factors Promoting Intergenerational Resilience in Adolescent Youth With Refugee Status.

Hoffman S, Vukovich M, Peterson B, Fulkerson J, Gewirtz A, Fredkove W Fam Community Health. 2024; 47(4):288-293.

PMID: 39158175 PMC: 11335304. DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000410.

Psycho-social Stressors Experienced by Young war Refugees in Developed Countries: A Scoping Review.

Metersky K, Jordan A, Al-Hamad A, El-Masri M Can J Nurs Res. 2024; 56(4):350-362.

PMID: 39033428 PMC: 11528856. DOI: 10.1177/08445621241263459.

Using a Constructivist-Oriented Modified Grounded Theory Approach in the Study of Intrafamily Trauma Communication Process in War-Affected Families: A Methodologic Example.

Hoffman S, Fredkove W ANS Adv Nurs Sci. 2023; .

PMID: 37498059 PMC: 10818002. DOI: 10.1097/ANS.0000000000000506.

Recognizing and Breaking the Cycle of Trauma and Violence Among Resettled Refugees.

Shi M, Stey A, Tatebe L Curr Trauma Rep. 2021; 7(4):83-91.

PMID: 34804764 PMC: 8590436. DOI: 10.1007/s40719-021-00217-x.

Defining Adjustment to Address the Missing Link between Refugees and Their Resettlement Communities.

Modesti C, Talamo A Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18(18).

PMID: 34574824 PMC: 8469661. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18189902.

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