Trauma, Post-Migration Living Difficulties, and Social Support as Predictors of Psychological Adjustment in Resettled Sudanese Refugees

TLDR

Sudanese refugees often face culturally specific challenges such as social isolation and acculturation difficulties. This study examined how pre‑migration trauma, post‑migration living difficulties, and social support influence the mental health of 63 resettled Sudanese refugees. Data were collected via semistructured interviews and questionnaires on sociodemographic factors, trauma history, anxiety, depression, PTSD, post‑migration difficulties, and perceived social support, administered with the help of a bilingual community worker. Less than 5 % met PTSD criteria but 25 % had clinically high psychological distress; perceived social support from the ethnic community, pre‑migration trauma, family status, and gender were significant predictors, indicating that Australian resettled Sudanese refugees may be particularly vulnerable.

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of pre-migration trauma, post-migration living difficulties and social support on the current mental health of 63 resettled Sudanese refugees.A semistructured interview including questionnaires assessing sociodemographic information, pre-migration trauma, anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress, post-migration living difficulties and perceived social support were administered assisted by a bilingual community worker.Resettled refugees from Sudan evidenced a history of trauma. Less than 5% met criteria for posttraumatic stress but 25% reported clinically high levels of psychological distress. The results indicate that social support--particularly perceived social support from the migrant's ethnic community--play a significant role in predicting mental health outcomes. Pre-migration trauma, family status and gender were also associated with mental health outcomes.Refugees in Australia may constitute a particularly vulnerable group in terms of mental health outcomes. Culturally specific sequelae in terms of social isolation and acculturation may be particularly problematic for these migrants.