PTSD, Trauma Exposure, and Postmigration Stress in Refugees (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This course is for: Clinical psychologists, Counselors, and LMFTs

Course By: Michael Parent, PhD

Content By: Liddell, B. J., Cheung, J., Outhred, T., Das, P., Malhi, G. S., Felmingham, K. L., Nickerson, A., Den, M., Askovic, M., Coello, M., Aroche, J., & Bryant, R. A. (2019). Neural correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, trauma exposure, and postmigration stress in response to fear faces in resettled refugees. Clinical Psychological Science, 7(4), 811–825. Doi: 10.1177/2167702619841047

Course Description: Refugees report high rates of posttraumatic stress. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of PTSD can help to address the mental health needs of this population. The authors conducted a quantitative, fMRI study using data from 43 individuals with refugee backgrounds. Participants completed measures of trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, and postmigration stress. Participants also completed a task in an fMRI in which they viewed faces displaying different emotions. Reactions to fear and neutral expressions were analyzed in the study. The degree of chronic trauma exposure, not PTSD symptom severity, was correlated with patterns of neural activity and connectivity to fear faces. The authors conclude that treatment for refugees will be enhanced through consideration of the impact of stress experienced in the postmigration environment. Future research may explore the impact of trauma load on other populations exposed to repeated trauma, such as interpersonal violence survivors.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the three foci of the neural basis of PTSD discussed by the researchers.
2. Identify two key results of the imaging analyses regarding brain activation during exposure to fear faces.
3. List two limitations of the presented study and consider these limitations in the context of future research in this area.

Course Outline:

1. Read and understand Neural correlates of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, trauma exposure, and postmigration stress in response to fear faces in resettled refugees.
2. Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives.

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3. Review the results of the imaging analyses among the refugee sample.
4. Complete the post-test questions. Recall that answers should be based on the referenced article.
5. Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to understand neural correlates of PTSD and trauma exposure among refugees.