TITLE:
Advances in Systemic Trauma Theory: Traumatogenic Dynamics and Consequences of Backlash as a Multi-Systemic Trauma on Iraqi Refugee Muslim Adolescents
AUTHORS:
Ibrahim A. Kira, Linda Lewandowski, Lisa Chiodo, Arwa Ibrahim
KEYWORDS:
Systemic Traumas, Multi-Systemic Traumas, Developmental-Based Trauma Framework (DBTF), Muslim American, Arab Americans, Iraq Refugees, Backlash Trauma
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.5 No.5,
April
23,
2014
ABSTRACT: Development
in adolescence puts youth in direct contact with social systems, thereby
increasing exposure to systemic traumas. The present article aims to advance systemic
trauma theory as part of a new development-based trauma framework (DBTF). It
examines discrimination and backlash against Muslim Americans as an example of
a multi-systemic trauma to investigate its mental health ramifications. Measures
of cumulative trauma, backlash trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder,
Adolescent Psychopathy Scales (APS), annihilation anxiety, and cumulative
trauma disorders were administered to 224 Iraqi refugee adolescents. Partial
correlation and hierarchical multiple regression results indicated that
backlash was associated with the most negative mental health outcomes as compared
to other trauma type seven after controlling for overall life trauma. The
validity and utility of the proposed theoretical framework and the clinical
implications of negative mental health effects of multi-systemic traumas on
refugee adolescents were discussed.