Psychosocial Etiology of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Caused by War Trauma Among Iran-Iraq War Immigrants in Mehran, Iran

Overview

Journal J Migr Health

Specialty Health Services

Date 2024 Sep 12

PMID 39263376

Authors

Ebrahim Masoudnia

Fatemeh Rahmati Farmani

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most important and common disorders caused by war trauma. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors and PTSD in war-torn immigrants in Mehran, Iran.

Method: The present study was conducted by descriptive and correlational method. The data were collected from 245 people (121 women and 124 men) from war-torn immigrants 45 years and older who migrated from Mehran to Ilam during the Iran-Iraq war. The measuring tools were as follows: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MDPSS), Coping Strategies Scale (CSS-R), Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale.

Results: The prevalence rate of PTSD among war-torn immigrants in Mehran was 35.1 %. A significant negative correlation was observed between perceived social support and PTSD ( < .01). Coping strategies, including seeking social support, reappraisal/adaptation, problem-focused coping, and active coping, all showed significant negative correlations with PTSD ( < .01). Conversely, a significant positive correlation was found between avoidance coping strategies and self-control and PTSD ( < .01). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the external locus of control (believing in chance) and PTSD ( < 0.01) and significant negative correlation between internal locus of control and PTSD ( < .01).

Conclusion: Weakness in social support, locus of control and also inappropriate coping strategies against war trauma were among the strong risk factors for PTSD. Therefore, social and behavioral interventions are recommended to increase social support, teaching problem-solving skills and strengthen individual control among war-torn immigrants to reduce the risk of developing PTSD.

Citing Articles

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Major Source of Concern Comment on "Epidemiology of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Iranian Population From 2019 to 2024: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis".

Santos V, Tedeschi A, Modesto L Arch Iran Med. 2025; 28(2):132-133.

PMID: 40062503 PMC: 11892095. DOI: 10.34172/aim.33448.

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