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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Support and Coping Among Afghan Refugees in Canada

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Abstract

Posttraumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) is one of the common mental health conditions among Afghan refugees resettled in developed countries. The current study explores how social support, coping and other factors correlate with PTSD in this population. A survey was conducted with 49 adult Afghan refugees (males 41%, female 59%) who completed Harvard Trauma Questionnaire during their visit to a Community Health Centre in Toronto. Bivariate analysis and structural-equation-modeling (SEM) were used to examine associations and pathways between PTSD and other variables. Mean PTSD score was 2.53 (SD 0.92) with 53% showing symptoms of PTSD which was significantly associated with age, unemployment, social support and self-rated health. SEM showed that higher social support scores were significantly associated with lower PTSD scores, and the effect of coping and English language were mediated through social support. The high prevalence of PTSD, its association with social support and self-rated health are important issues to be considered for refugee resettlement programs.

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Acknowledgements

Dr. Farah Ahmad received the funds through Connaught New Staff Matching Grants Program of the University of Toronto during her appointment at that university. The partnership of Access Alliance Multicultural Community Health Center made possible to conduct the parent study. We thank the project investigators for their contributions: Yogendra Shakya, PhD, Cameron Norman, PhD, and Izzeldin Abuelaish, MD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Health Policy and Management, York University, 4700 Keele Street, HNES Building, Rm 414, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Farah Ahmad

  2. School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Canada

    Nasih Othman

  3. Biostatistics Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Wendy Lou

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  1. Farah Ahmad
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  2. Nasih Othman
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Correspondence to Farah Ahmad.

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Ahmad, F., Othman, N. & Lou, W. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Support and Coping Among Afghan Refugees in Canada. Community Ment Health J 56, 597–605 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-019-00518-1

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