Publications

Many refugees experience multiple traumatic events, which set them at increased risk to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To refine interventions aimed at improving refugees’ mental health, a better understanding of the factors modulating vulnerability to war-related trauma is needed. In the present study, we focused on stress resonance as a potential vulnerability factor. Stress resonance reflects the empathic sharing of others’ subjective and physiological stress experience. Sixty-seven participants who came from Arabic-speaking countries and had entered Germany as refugees or migrants took part in an empathic stress test, in which they observed a native German speaker undergo a psychosocial laboratory stressor. Meanwhile, different stress markers (subjective stress, heart rate, heart rate variability, and cortisol release) were simultaneously captured in the stressed targets and passive observers. Moderation analyses did not support our hypothesis that the extent to which someone resonates with others’ stress is a vulnerability factor in the development of PTSD symptoms after trauma exposure. Rather, higher levels of subjective and autonomic stress resonance were directly related to PTSD symptom severity when controlling for sex, age, and trauma exposure. Our findings suggest that heightened stress resonance may constitute a malleable correlate of PTSD symptoms rather than a trait modulating health risk. In the future, efforts should be made to test whether individuals with a history of war-related trauma would benefit from interventions aimed to reduce the tendency to excessively share others’ stress.

Empathic abilities are proposed to affect the trajectory from trauma exposure to psychopathology. Yet, studies addressing the role of empathy in refugees with diverse experiences of war-related trauma are lacking. This may relate to missing recommendations on aspects to consider in the planning and execution of such a study. In the present methodological paper, we hence share our experiences in designing and implementing a study on the interrelations of war-related trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and empathy in individuals from Arabic-speaking countries who had entered Germany as refugees or migrants. In specific, we reflect on decisions related to the choice of experimental groups and measures of empathy, and describe unanticipated problems encountered during recruitment, screening and testing. Overall, we recommend applying a multi-method approach (i.e., a combination of questionnaire, behavioral and biological measures) to gain a comprehensive picture of the different facets of empathy. Further, we stress the importance to consider that not only refugees, but also migrants may have experienced war-related trauma. Beyond that, we advise to consult individuals of the study population of interest for the translation of instruments, realization of effective recruitment strategies, and to ensure that the testing procedures are sensitive to participants’ past experiences and current needs. We hope that sharing these insights will benefit researchers interested in conducting basic and intervention research aimed at improving the mental health of individuals exposed to war-related trauma.

To advance intervention science dedicated to improve refugees’ mental health, a better understanding of factors of risk and resilience involved in the etiology and maintenance of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is needed. In the present study, we tested whether empathy and compassion, two trainable aspects of social cognition related to health, would modulate risk for PTSD after war-related trauma. Fifty-six refugees and 42 migrants from Arabic-speaking countries reported on their trauma experiences, PTSD symptoms, and perceived trait empathy and compassion. They further completed the EmpaToM, a naturalistic computer task measuring behavioral empathy and compassion. Moderation analyses revealed that behavioral, but not self-reported compassion was a significant moderator of the trauma-PTSD link. Trauma was more strongly related to PTSD symptoms when individuals had low (β =.59, t = 4.27, p <.001) as compared to high levels of behavioral compassion. Neither self-reported nor behavioral empathy moderated the trauma-PTSD link (β =.24, t = 1.57, p =.120). Findings indicate that the ability to go beyond the sharing of others’ suffering and generate the positive feeling of compassion may support resilience in the context of trauma and subsequent development of PTSD. Hence, compassion may be a suitable target for prevention and intervention approaches reducing PTSD symptoms after trauma.

This action guide provides peacebuilding and civil society organizations, trainers, facilitators, local government officials and administrators, and other stakeholders with a framework to support the rehabilitation of people disengaging from extremist violence and their (re)integration into, and reconciliation with, local communities. Rehabilitation and (Re)integration through Individual, Social, and Structural Engagement (RISE) adopts a peacebuilding approach that is informed by public health principles and emphasizes community-led interventions.

The six modules in this action guide examine social, structural, and individual dynamics that can be harnessed to advance successful disengagement, rehabilitation, and (re)integration efforts by offering a sense of belonging and an alternative identity that rejects violence. Each module outlines practices that reduce barriers to, and open spaces and willingness for, prosocial engagement
between people (re)integrating and community members and institutions. Collectively, the modules are designed to help practitioners transform behavior, identities, and conflict environments.

As pathways into violent extremism are incredibly diverse, and mental health care systems in fragile environments face numerous challenges, it remains difficult to place and scale psychosocial support efforts in the prevention of violent extremism (PVE).

A ‘whole of society’ approach to prevent violent extremism rests on sustained coordination between actors who previously may have had little mandate, interest, or opportunity to cooperate. Increasing interest in the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in extremism prevention, extremist rehabilitation, and social repair efforts adds further nuance and challenge to the effective ‘whole of society’ mobilisation.

A methodologically experimental survey of participants in the nonviolent resistance movement in Algeria known as the Hirak sought to uncover motivations for and benefits of participating in nonviolent resistance movements, a topic infrequently studied in the literature. A comparison of the results with the much more amply studied psychosocial dynamics of participation in violent extremism showed alignment on certain dimensions, such as a view of the movement’s goal as an uncompromisable “sacred value,” yet little of violent extremism’s negative motivations appeared among the survey respondents’ answers. The results of the survey, while preliminary, suggest ways in which policymakers and peace practitioners can both focus on enhancing recruitment and retention of nonviolent movement participants and help make nonviolent action an attractive substitute for those psychologically vulnerable to participation in violent extremism.

NeuroPeace is an online, open source series focusing on research and practice at the nexus of peacebuilding and neuroscience. NeuroPeace includes articles and essays by scholars and practitioners exploring how neuroscientific insights can inform peacebuilding processes, including supporting dialogue, fostering reconciliation, and preventing violence, as well as addressing the fundamental causes of destructive conflict, injustice, and societal divisions. This, the inaugural edition of NeuroPeace, is the first of three parts of an edited volume that brings together a group of eminent researchers on the frontlines of neuroscience to share—in a way that is accessible and engaging to nonscientists—their work and to spotlight how it might be relevant and useful to those who work to prevent wars, terrorism, and other forms of violent conflict and to help societies and individuals to heal in the aftermath of violence. The researchers cover a wide range of cutting-edge topics that are grouped under three broad headings and published in three separate editions: Individual Aggression (NeuroPeace no. 1), Group Dynamics (NeuroPeace no. 2), and Trauma (NeuroPeace no. 3). NeuroPeace is sponsored by the Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation, a center within the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University.