Stressful experiences and the trauma - related disorders among refugees in Zurich, Bern and St. Gallen, Switzerland

This study is an analysis of the relationship that exists between stressful experiences and trauma-related disorders among refugees based in Switzerland. The study specifically sought to identify traumatic events and post-migration life difficulties experienced by refugees; the existence of trauma related disorders among refugees Switzerland; and the association between the stressful experiences and trauma related disorders in relation to the post migration living difficulties experienced by refugees in Switzerland. The study was conducted in Zurich, Bern and St. Gallen, Switzerland. It employed quantitative research approach in the descriptive survey design. The study adopted snowball sampling techniques due to nature of the respondents obtain a total of 61 respondents who formed the study sample size. In this way, questionnaires were used to collect information from all 61 respondents. Data were analysed by using correlation analysis. The study revealed that violence attacks, lack of shelter and lack of food were most traumatic events experienced by most of the refugees in Switzerland. The study also found that more than half refugees rated worry about family, fear of expulsion and difficulties in obtaining accommodation were major PTSD. Furthermore, the study revealed that more than half the refugees’ respondents reported to have PTSD symptoms. In that, the level of depression differed among refugees for which 8 refugees experienced severe depression; 12 experiences moderate severe depression; and 10 experienced moderate and mild depression. The study further showed positive relationship between stressful events and trauma-related disorders. Additionally, PMLD correlated with CPTSD; however, PMLD had low correlation with depression. Traumatic experiences and trauma-related disorders correlations (r = 0.065, p> 0.05), ( r = 0.04, p>0.05) and PMLD and trauma-related disorders correlations were (r = 0.122, p> 0.05); ( r = 0.428, p< 0.002), (r = 0.477, p< 0.001) and ( r = 0.379, p< 0.01). The study; thus, concluded that, there is positive relationship between stressful events, PMLD and trauma-related disorders. The study; therefore, recommends that there should be an immediate action to rescue refugees by reviewing the refugee policies and procedures to restore refugee status. If refugee status will be granted, it would facilitate favourable conditions necessary for refugees’ better physical and mental health services; employment and family reunion.