The impact of trauma and the experience of trauma in Syrian immigrant women

The most vulnerable groups are profoundly affected by the consequences of traumatic events such as war, migration, and rape. Considering gender roles and the state of being disadvantaged, women often face multiple traumatic events before, during, and after migration. The functionality of women, who are already among vulnerable groups, can be impaired as a result of trauma. Post-traumatic issues encompass both psychological and social dimensions. This study, conducted to examine and evaluate trauma-related problems associated with war and migration, aims to address the lack of a women-centered perspective in the migrant trauma category within the literature. The study involved revealing the trauma experiences of immigrant women, identifying the psychological and mental distress that developed subsequently, and evaluating the support mechanisms in place. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were required, leading to the adoption of a mixed-methods approach. Specifically, an explanatory sequential design was utilized. Immigrant women residing in Istanbul were reached using the snowball sampling method. In the first quantitative phase, 484 participants were interviewed. In the subsequent qualitative phase, 20 individuals identified with symptoms of trauma and depression were interviewed for in-depth exploration. The results of the research indicated that depression significantly impacts trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among Syrian refugee women. The duration of time spent in Turkey and the ability to speak Turkish positively influenced the psychological well-being of Syrian refugee women. The traumatic events experienced were predominantly related to the civil war. The systematic analysis of the collected data, interpreted through ecological, anti-discrimination, and anti-oppressive perspectives, has made the psychosocial effects of migration and trauma more visible.