The Relationship Between Sleep Quality and PTSD Symptoms in Syrian Refugees in Michigan

Abstract

Currently, there are over 70 million displaced people worldwide, the greatest number ever recorded in human history, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (unrefugees.org, 2019). Violence, destruction, separation from family, torture, rape, and other traumatic experiences greatly impact refugees’ overall health and ability to acculturate in their new host countries (Hargreaves, 2002; Hollifield et al., 2002). Post-immigration stressors such as worry about economic stability, social isolation, access to education and perceived hostility and racism can also be significant stressors for refugees (Burnett & Peel, 2001; Porter & Haslam, 2005). Although previous research suggests that refugees experience greater levels of PTSD compared to that of the general population, little is known about the relationship between poor sleep with past and ongoing trauma on the maintenance of PTSD symptoms in refugees. Understanding sleep problems within this population is critical as it is associated with worse mental and physical health outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship that PTSD-related sleep symptoms, previous traumatic experiences, and current life difficulties have with overall sleep quality and with the presence of PTSD symptomology. Syrian refugees living in the metro-Detroit, Michigan area were assessed for presence of PTSD-related disturbed sleep, past trauma, current living difficulties, overall quality of sleep, and presence of PTSD symptoms approximately one-year post immigration. PTSD symptomology was found to be positively associated with PTSD-disturbed sleep, overall poor sleep quality, and current living difficulties. When entered into a multiple regression equation, current living difficulties and PTSD-related sleep disturbances were found to be significant predictors of PTSD symptom severity. This study has implications for future research to further understand the impact disturbed sleep and current life stressors may have on PTSD symptomology in refugees. Clinical implications include emphasis on providing mental healthcare to refugees in treating and managing PTSD symptoms and disturbed sleep. Also, assisting refugees in attaining basic services in their host country will allow for an easier transition and help minimize the impact current life stressors may have on their overall health and well-being.