Religious belief as a resilience factor in a long-term refugee setting at the Thai-Myanmar Border, Southeast Asia

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Religion has always had an influence on the causal attribution of people, i.e. how is your own destiny, happiness and misfortune interpreted? Since religious belief is not static, it is strongly influenced by the experiences that sufferers have gained in their past. It therefore plays an important role in dealing with trauma and stress in humanitarian crises – especially in vulnerable populations (such as refugees) and can be a source of power in difficult times. There are systematic studies on psychological implications of trauma in the context of war and forced migration on affected populations, especially regarding the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, but the effects of religious beliefs are not well understood yet. This study examines the role of religion in the daily lives of Karen refugees in long-term refugee settings along the Thai-Myanmar border and the possible influence that religion can have on dealing with crisis situations and one's own destiny. Resilience is a factor that is easily overlooked by mental health services, especially in situations where people are dependent on third party help. Psychosocial health care should take into account the role of religious beliefs in terms of expectations and causal attribution.</jats:p>

Coping and Resilience Strategies among Ukraine War Refugees

“…This result is confirmed by another recent and extensive systematic review and meta-analysis, summarizing 34 observational studies and revealing a moderate correlation between religion/spirituality and resilience defined as “the ability to recover or cope with adverse situations” [ 12 ]. Other studies highlight the positive role religion plays in that process [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Usually, these studies relate to displaced populations from poor areas and diverse religious backgrounds.…”

Under God’s protective wings: Does exposure to violent conflict make Nigerians value God more?

“…This is because reliance upon God breeds resilience and enables them to make sense of their suffering (e.g. Pertek 2022;Atari-Khan et al 2021;Lusk et al 2021;Kaiser et al 2020;Choi & Hastings 2019;Manning & Miles 2018;Tippens 2017). Other studies have found that traumatic experiences erode religiosity, and in some cases, could prompt people to abandon their faith (Leo et al 2021;Janoff-Bulman 1992).…”

The Effects of Spirituality and Religiosity on Better Symptom Control in Patients With Covid-19

“…To minimize the deleterious effects of this situation, many strategies are in use worldwide, such as support groups, online courses, use of social networks, web meetings, yoga practice, meditation, and other contemplative religious and spiritual activities [3]. Religious and spiritual beliefs have been used, long since, to deal with tough situations [4] and, through scientific literature is still not so clear about the role of spirituality and religiosity (S/R) in physical and mental health during the pandemic, previous studies seem to support its role in favorable health outcomes [5]. This article proposes a discussion about the physiopathological mechanisms of COVID-19 and how S/R could be useful in this context.…”