Neuroticism as Mediator and Moderator Between War Atrocities and Psychopathology in Syrian Refugee Children and Adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the extensive research on war atrocities and risk factors for psychopathology, there is a paucity of research on the potential mediating and moderating effect of neuroticism in refugee children and adolescents.ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze whether neuroticism mediated and/or moderated the relationship between war atrocities and different types of psychopathology in Syrian refugee children and adolescents who resettled in Lebanon and Jordan.Participants and SettingParticipants were 1,000 Syrian refugee children and adolescents of both sexes.MethodsQuestionnaires were administered in an interview format with children at school by two trained psychologists. Descriptive statistics and inter-correlations among variables were used Then the mediator and moderator effect of neuroticism in the relationship between war atrocities and posttraumatic stress, emotion regulation and behavioral and emotional disorders were examined.ResultsA partial mediating effect of neuroticism on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), emotion dysregulation, and emotional and behavioral disorders was revealed. Findings also indicated full moderating effects of neuroticism on PTSD as well as partial moderating effects on emotion dysregulation, and emotional and behavioral.ConclusionsFindings contribute to the neuroticism literature by showing that high-N children develop more problems that are psychopathological and have more severe affective reactions to war atrocities in post- resettlement contexts. Early interventions aimed to reduce neuroticism might contribute to a better prognosis in refugee children at high-risk for psychological disorders.

Behavioral difficulties and associated factors among the ‘lost generation’ of Syrian children and adolescents

“…Children who experienced kidnapping or the loss of family members due to the war exhibited significantly higher levels of behavioral difficulties, particularly emotional distress. A similar trend was observed among Syrian child refugees, where 45.6% of those exposed to war traumas developed PTSD, which may be linked to emotional dysregulation 57 – 59 .…”

Behavioral Difficulties Among Syrian Children and Adolescents: Identifying Associated Factors in the 'Lost Generation'

“…Children who experienced kidnapping or the loss of family members due to the war exhibited signi cantly higher levels of behavioral di culties, particularly emotional distress. A similar trend was observed among Syrian child refugees, where 45.6% of those exposed to war traumas developed PTSD, which may be linked to emotional dysregulation (55)(56)(57).…”