Temporal associations between cultural identity conflict and psychological symptoms among Syrian young adults with refugee backgrounds : a four-wave longitudinal study

Objectives: The current study examined temporal associations between cultural identity conflict and psychological symptoms (posttraumatic stress [PTS] and anxiety/depression) in Syrian young adults, who recently migrated to the Netherlands. It was hypothesized that cultural identity conflict predicts intraindividual changes in PTS and anxiety/depression symptoms, in a course of one year, adjusting for trait-like stable invariant levels of both constructs.

Methods: Data were obtained from Karakter, a four-wave longitudinal study, with a sample of 158 Syrian young adults with refugee backgrounds (n = 96 at wave 4); 69% men and age range 18–35. Levels of cultural identity conflict, PTS, and anxiety/depression were assessed four times, over 13 months.

Results: Random intercept cross-lagged panel model analyses showed relative stability in levels of cultural identity conflict, PTS, and anxiety/depression from one wave to the next. No significant concurrent associations were found between deviations from people’s usual levels of cultural identity conflict and PTS symptoms. Additionally, the results revealed two significant negative cross-lagged associations between cultural identity conflict and PTS. No cross-lagged associations were found between cultural identity conflict and anxiety/depression, except one negative directional effect from anxiety/depression at wave 2 to cultural identity conflict at wave 3.

Conclusions: Findings indicate that after accounting for between-person differences, cultural identity conflict and psychological symptoms refer to stable, within-person processes over time. We speculate that early intervention focused on PTS, anxiety/depression as well as experienced cultural identity conflict may prevent these problems from becoming chronic, among Syrians with refugee backgrounds in the post-migration context.

HIGHLIGHTS

• In a four-wave longitudinal study over 13 months, 158 Syrian young adults with refugee backgrounds were followed, and their levels of cultural identity conflict, posttraumatic stress, and anxiety/depression were assessed at each wave.
• Relative stability in levels of cultural identity conflict, posttraumatic stress, and anxiety/depression was observed from one wave to the next.
• Early interventions targeting cultural identity conflict and psychological symptoms may help prevent the development of long-term mental health problems.