Sample characteristics for each group.

BackgroundPotentially traumatic experiences and post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) undoubtedly leave marks on mental health and psychosocial functioning. While PMLDs are recognised as a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (described together here as C/PTSD), recent investigations have found that C/PTSD symptoms might also influence the experience of PMLDs. The subjective experience of and coping with PMLDs in the context of C/PTSD symptoms has not yet been explored.MethodsSemi-structured, interpreter-assisted interviews exploring the subjective experience of post-migration living difficulties were conducted with treatment-seeking Afghan refugees and asylum seekers (N = 24) and transcribed verbatim. Participants were screened using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and allocated to a C/PTSD group or non-C/PTSD group. We analysed the qualitative interviews using content analysis and then compared the results of the two groups.ResultsOver half of the participants (58.3%) met the criteria for C/PTSD. While the two groups addressed numerous similar themes, the C/PTSD group more frequently mentioned themes associated with C/PTSD symptoms (e.g., intrusions, avoidance, sleep disturbances, affective dysregulation) that influenced their responses to PMLDs. The non-C/PTSD group more often experienced positive emotions such as gratitude and optimism, and showed more active, solution-oriented behaviour as well as positive self-verbalisation.ConclusionTo achieve a deeper understanding of PMLDs, post-traumatic psychopathology should be taken into account, as C/PTSD symptoms influence the experience of and coping with PMLDs. The specifics of individual experiences need to be considered in order to promote adaptive coping with PMLDs and to set individual trauma-focused and transdiagnostic treatment targets. In addition, psychological interventions should incorporate psychoeducation to improve the understanding of the impact of C/PTSD on the current experience of PMLDs.背景：潜在创伤性经历与移民后生活困境（post-migration living difficulties, PMLDs）无疑会对心理健康及社会心理功能造成显著影响。尽管PMLDs已被确认为创伤后应激障碍与复杂性创伤后应激障碍（本文中二者统称为C/PTSD）的风险因素，但近期研究发现，C/PTSD症状或许也会反向影响PMLDs的发生体验。目前学界尚未针对C/PTSD症状背景下个体对PMLDs的主观体验及其应对方式展开探索。方法：本研究采用口译辅助的半结构化访谈，对24名寻求治疗的阿富汗难民与寻求庇护者开展调研，访谈主题围绕移民后生活困境的主观体验，且所有访谈内容均进行逐字转录。研究采用国际创伤问卷（International Trauma Questionnaire, ITQ）对参与者进行筛查，并将其划分为C/PTSD组与非C/PTSD组。随后通过内容分析法对质性访谈资料进行分析，并对比两组的研究结果。结果：超过半数参与者（58.3%）符合C/PTSD的诊断标准。尽管两组均提及诸多相似主题，但C/PTSD组更频繁地提到与自身C/PTSD症状相关的主题（如闯入性思维、回避行为、睡眠障碍、情感失调），这些症状会影响他们应对PMLDs的方式。非C/PTSD组则更多体验到感恩、乐观等积极情绪，展现出更多主动的问题导向行为与积极的自我言语调适。结论：为更深入地理解PMLDs，需将创伤后精神病理学纳入考量范畴，因为C/PTSD症状会影响个体对PMLDs的体验及其应对方式。临床实践中需兼顾个体体验的特异性，以提升对PMLDs的适应性应对能力，并制定个体化的创伤聚焦及跨诊断治疗目标。此外，心理干预应纳入心理教育内容，以增进个体对C/PTSD如何影响当前PMLDs体验的认知。