EC Psychology and Psychiatry

Research Article Volume 12 Issue 4 - 2023

Trauma Exposure, Religiosity/Spirituality and Quality of Life among Eritrean Female Refugees Living in Norwegian Asylum Centers: A Mixed Method Study

Ruth Abraham1,2*, Lars Lien3,4, Ingrid Hansen5, Edvard Hauff2 and Suraj Bahadur Thapa2,6

1Department of Psychiatry, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway

2Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

3Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Concurrent Substance Abuse and Mental Health Disorders, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Hamar, Norway

4Department of Health and Social Sciences, Innlandet University College, Elverum, Norway

5Section of Clinical Nursing Research, Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Oslo, Norway

6Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

*Corresponding Author: Ruth Abraham, Department of Psychiatry, Lovisenberg Diaconal Hospital, Oslo, Norway and Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Received: March 08, 2023; Published:March 25, 2023



Background: Refugees experience multiple forms of trauma, including persecution, physical and sexual violence, and life-threatening situations, prior to and during the process of migration [1]. Religiosity/spirituality can be a positive coping resource after psychological trauma.

Method: This is an exploratory mixed method study, conducted among healthy Eritrean female refugees in eight Norwegian asylum reception centres.

Results: The main traumatic experiences were the political situation and compulsory military service in Eritrea, fleeing their home country, and challenges after arriving in Norway. Number of traumas was independently and positively associated with religiosity/spirituality, while having relatives in Norway was negatively associated.

Quality of life was also positively associated with religiosity/spirituality.

Conclusion: This study’s findings offer increased understanding that religiosity and spirituality may positively influence coping after traumatic experiences and quality of life. Further research is needed to help elucidate the causality and the mental mechanisms behind traumatized refugees’ tendency to turn to religiousity/spirituality.

Keywords: Refugee; Trauma; Mental Health; Religiosity/Spirituality; Quality of Life

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Ruth Abraham., et al. Trauma Exposure, Religiosity/Spirituality and Quality of Life among Eritrean Female Refugees Living in Norwegian Asylum Centers: A Mixed Method Study. EC Psychology and Psychiatry 12.4 (2023): 40-52.

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