{"title":"Gender differences in coping with stressful life events among Syrian refugee parents in Jordan and Lebanon.","authors":"Vivian Khamis","doi":"10.1037/ort0000872","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined the gender-specific challenges Syrian refugee parents face in coping with stressful life events associated with postdisplacement, an area that has been insufficiently explored. Interviews with 1,000 parents, evenly split between Lebanon and Jordan, were conducted by psychologists in participants' homes to assess the impact of these stressors and coping mechanisms on psychological distress. Statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis of variance and t tests, were used to explore gender differences in psychological distress, stressful life events, and coping strategies. Hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine the influence of gender, stressful life events and coping strategies on psychological distress. Results showed that mothers reported significantly higher psychological distress than fathers. Mothers experienced greater intrafamily strains and marital discord, while fathers reported more work-related, illness, and legal stressors. Regarding coping strategies, mothers were more likely to employ distancing and self-controlling approaches. Stressful life events and coping strategies explained a substantial portion of the variance in psychological distress. Gender moderated several effects: Intrafamily tensions were more distressing for mothers, while transitional stressors were more distressing for fathers. Distancing and escape-avoidance coping strategies were more strongly linked to distress in mothers than in fathers. These findings highlight the importance of gender-sensitive support programs tailored to the unique stressors and coping strategies of refugee mothers and fathers. Recommendations include cultural sensitivity training for professionals, policy advocacy to address structural stressors, and longitudinal research on the long-term impact of coping strategies for more effective interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The power of protective factors to mitigate LGBTQ+ suicide risk: Improving positive aspects of one's identity in a vacuum is not enough.","authors":"Colette R Vaughan, Lucy Liotta, Erik M Benau","doi":"10.1037/ort0000864","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000864","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The goal of the present study was to determine whether positive components of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and related (LGBTQ+) identity mitigate suicide risk. A sample of 260 LGBTQ+ participants completed assessments of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), positive LGBTQ+ identity (authenticity, community, self-awareness, intimacy, social justice), outness, and self-acceptance of sexuality. Bivariate analyses indicated that ACEs were positively associated with both suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA). Authenticity was negatively correlated with SI, whereas a sense of community negatively correlated with SA. A multinomial logistic regression was conducted with all variables of interest entered as independent variables and suicide continuum group as the dependent variable (SI, SA, and no history of SI or SA). Compared to those with no history, individuals in the SI group reported greater ACEs and psychosocial distress. Compared to the SI group, the SA group reported significantly greater ACEs (but not distress) and a lower sense of community. Surprisingly, they also reported greater authenticity. Adding the interaction term between community and authenticity significantly improved model fit. Examination of the interaction slopes indicated that the odds of reporting an SA decreased as both authenticity and community increased. These findings suggest that fostering a sense of community may mitigate suicide risk for LGBTQ+ individuals and that authenticity in the absence of community support may increase this risk. LGBTQ+ community engagement is likely an important avenue for suicide prevention efforts. Additional findings pertaining to social desirability are also discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Twice invisible: The role and interventions of social workers with people with disabilities in wartime.","authors":"Yael Hochman, Limor Gadot","doi":"10.1037/ort0000874","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Social workers are crucial in meeting the needs of people with disabilities (PWD) during wartime. However, there is no formal definition of their roles in emergencies, particularly relating to PWD, a gap that highlights the dual invisibility of both social workers and PWD. This qualitative study addresses this gap by analyzing the roles and interventions of social workers working with PWD during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Two online focus groups were conducted with ten social workers who provided support to PWD in the area bordering on Gaza. Data analysis revealed four themes: (1) heightened needs combined with inadequate services; (2) improvised solutions; (3) disability rights advocacy; and (4) managing both personal and professional challenges. These findings underscore the multifaceted role social workers play in responding to PWD in wartime. They also highlight the challenges social workers face in navigating the absence of PWD policies during wartime and the critical importance of measures for promoting disability-inclusive disaster response and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735549","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Crystal L Park, Dahee Kim, Beth S Russell, Michael Fendrich
{"title":"Trajectories of spiritual well-being across the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Crystal L Park, Dahee Kim, Beth S Russell, Michael Fendrich","doi":"10.1037/ort0000870","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000870","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on multiple dimensions of well-being are amply documented, these studies have overlooked the spiritual dimension of well-being. Thus, we know very little about resilience or decline in spiritual well-being or specific contextual factors and coping efforts that might predict distinct trajectories of spiritual well-being. The study characterized trajectories of U.S. adults' spiritual well-being (faith, meaning, and peace) across the first year of the pandemic and identified psychosocial factors and coping strategies in a national sample of 733 U.S. adults. Two contextual factors (perceived social support and COVID-19 stressors) and six coping strategies were tested as predictors of spiritual well-being trajectory classes. Latent growth mixture modeling analyses were performed to identify trajectory classes of spiritual well-being. Latent growth mixture modeling revealed two classes for faith, high (35.3%) and low (64.7%); three classes for meaning: high (64.5%), moderate (20.6%), and low (14.9%); and two classes for peace: high (63.6%) and low (36.4%). Overall, compared with those in high classes of each facet of spiritual well-being, participants in other classes were more likely to use substances to cope and less likely to positively reappraise, use religious coping, or perceive support from others. Although the majority demonstrated moderate to high levels of spiritual well-being, a substantial minority were quite low. Our findings regarding contextual factors and coping strategies that informed the course of spiritual well-being during the first year of the pandemic suggest that improving access to these resources and support may promote higher levels of spiritual well-being. Based on our results, we provide recommendations for clinical, community, and policy interventions to reduce disparities in spiritual well-being. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12515088/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"War-related trauma in Gaza: The role of religious faith, social support, and active coping strategies.","authors":"Bilal Hamamra, Fayez Mahamid, Dana Bdier","doi":"10.1037/ort0000873","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000873","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the coping mechanisms employed by Palestinians in Gaza during the 2023-2024 ongoing Israeli war against Gaza. Focusing on 30 refugees from Rafah, the research highlights the importance of religious faith, social support, and active coping strategies such as problem-solving, debriefing, and behavioral engagement in building resilience. Through semistructured interviews, thematic content analysis revealed that positive religious coping and social networks play a crucial role in helping participants endure the psychological challenges during the war. In contrast, avoidance coping was found to exacerbate distress. The study highlights the need for comprehensive mental health interventions that strengthen active coping mechanisms and the importance of community resilience in conflict zones. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144735550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Profiling perceived intersectional discrimination in people experiencing homelessness in Spain: A cluster analysis.","authors":"Silvia Torrego, Sonia Panadero, José Juan Vázquez","doi":"10.1037/ort0000862","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000862","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study is to analyze the discrimination perceived by people experiencing homelessness, from an intersectional approach. Distinct profiles were identified using cluster analysis to examine the intersections among the different vulnerabilities faced by this population, considering factors associated with situations of greater social disadvantage, such as origin, race/ethnicity, disability, substance abuse, and more complex homelessness trajectories. The sample consisted of 355 people experiencing homelessness in Madrid (Spain). The sample of men was representative of the population experiencing homelessness in the city, while women were intentionally overrepresented to ensure a gender perspective. The result of the cluster analysis was the identification of three profiles, each with a specific trajectory. The subgroup that reported the most discriminatory experiences was characterized by Spanish-born White individuals with disabilities, a history of substance abuse, and long-term homelessness. The two remaining subgroups, one characterized by migrant and racialized individuals without associated complications, and the other by White and Spanish-born individuals with a history of alcohol abuse, both perceived lower levels of discrimination and experienced shorter durations of homelessness. Expanding the knowledge about how different vulnerabilities interact and lead to specific hardships can help improve preventive and intervention actions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144531260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Wendy Chu, Magdalena Moskal, Sarah J Miller, Sarah Grace Frary, Eleanor G Wu, Elizabeth A Bodalski, Sayward E Harrison
{"title":"Applying an ecological model to identify resources that aid peer support workers in substance use disorder recovery: A qualitative study.","authors":"Wendy Chu, Magdalena Moskal, Sarah J Miller, Sarah Grace Frary, Eleanor G Wu, Elizabeth A Bodalski, Sayward E Harrison","doi":"10.1037/ort0000867","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000867","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This qualitative study aimed to understand the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community, and public policy resources that peer support workers (PSWs) in the substance use disorder (SUD) recovery field perceive as helpful in supporting their efforts. Twenty-five PSWs participated in semistructured interviews designed to elicit their experiences and perspectives on resources that currently support or could better support their work. PSWs had a mean age of 49.3 years (<i>SD</i> = 12.9) and were primarily cisgender women (<i>n</i> = 16, 64%) and White (<i>n</i> = 20, 80%). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using rapid qualitative analysis. To ensure validity, a PSW consultant reviewed the study materials and themes. At the intrapersonal level, PSWs employed a variety of self-care practices, such as mindfulness, faith-based activities, attendance at recovery meetings, and boundary setting at work. At the interpersonal level, PSWs reported a strong network of social capital, including friends, family, and supervisors. At the organizational level, PSWs identified supportive resources, including employment benefits, a positive work climate, and workplace autonomy. At the community level, PSWs leveraged networks with local organizations. At the public policy level, PSWs appreciated support from government officials. Desired resources included more time for self-care, empathy and understanding from family and non-PSW coworkers, reduced logistical burdens and more supervision, community resources to address social determinants of health, and reduced stigma toward people with SUDs and greater funding. By reinforcing current resources and introducing desired resources, organizations, community members, and policymakers can build the resilience of PSWs and promote high-quality services for the prevention and treatment of SUDs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144531258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Between a \"ball and chain\" and a \"half-full glass\": Work-family balance experiences of fathers to children with disabilities.","authors":"Einav Segev, Limor Gadot, Maayan Fine","doi":"10.1037/ort0000868","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000868","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parents of children with disabilities often struggle to balance work, caregiving for their child, and family responsibilities. Previous studies have not sufficiently focused on fathers' experiences in balancing work with their family commitments. Informed by boundary theory, this study examines how fathers experience the integration of work and family and the coping strategies they use to enable this balance. The research was conducted using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Semistructured interviews were held with 12 fathers of young children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The fathers reported challenges that hindered their ability to integrate and balance work and family life. Alongside these difficulties, they emphasized positive elements and acceptance of their fatherhood while describing cognitions and behaviors that helped them cope with the challenges of work-family balance. The findings highlight the vulnerability of fathers of children with disabilities in the workplace and the significant challenges they face in balancing work and family life. This highlights their need for support and, more broadly, the need for changes in policy and legislation related to the employment of fathers of children with disabilities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144531259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Diab A Ali, Bronwyn C Olstein, Laura Vargas, Elijah W Hale, Ahmad Adi, Daniel Savin, C Neill Epperson
{"title":"Refugee and asylum seeker child and adolescent mental health: A systematic review of racial, ethnic, and contextual disparities.","authors":"Diab A Ali, Bronwyn C Olstein, Laura Vargas, Elijah W Hale, Ahmad Adi, Daniel Savin, C Neill Epperson","doi":"10.1037/ort0000858","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000858","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent research indicates that sociostructural factors affect mental health and care across racial and ethnic groups differently. The mental health and care access of refugee and asylum-seeking youth has been studied in various populations and host countries. Yet, despite the increasing numbers of such children, their poor outcomes, and underuse of care, little is known about racial, ethnic, and context-based disparities in these outcomes. To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review to identify the progress and shortcomings in the research of such disparities among refugee and asylee youth, emphasizing ecological dimensions affecting health and care. Using rigorous search and inclusion criteria across the MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, and Web of Science databases and following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we evaluated the findings and limitations of 63 included studies. These studies compared children or adolescents of distinct racial or ethnic refugee or asylum-seeking populations to each other or to other populations across 30 countries, investigating child and adolescent mental health outcomes (including disorders, symptoms, and mental health care access-related outcomes). We identify specific disparities in outcomes based on racial, ethnic, and contextual differences, with results organized by ecological systems theory dimensions and timescales. Our review highlights that generally, Middle Eastern youth may experience worse outcomes across contexts, that there is a gap in research inclusive of youth from the Americas, and that the mechanisms of sex differences, acculturative stress, and intergenerational transmission may vary by population. We propose actionable steps for research on disparities and interventions in migrant child and adolescent populations. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144287182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Perceived stigma, internalized stigma, and mental health of young Chinese men who have sex with men living with HIV/AIDS: Intersection and the importance of \"undetectable = untransmittable\" status.","authors":"Zurong Liang, Yu-Te Huang","doi":"10.1037/ort0000857","DOIUrl":"10.1037/ort0000857","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stigma is closely linked to mental health issues among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV/AIDS. The \"Undetectable = Untransmittable\" (U = U) concept has been instrumental in reducing HIV/AIDS-related stigma and improving treatment adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS. However, the effect of U = U status on internalized stigma related to both HIV/AIDS and homosexual identity remains unclear. This study explores how U = U status influences stigma internalization and mental health among young Chinese MSM living with HIV/AIDS, focusing on the intersectional stigma associated with HIV/AIDS status and sexual orientation. A purposeful sampling approach was used to recruit young Chinese MSM living with HIV/AIDS (n = 1,185). Structural equation model, stratified by U = U status, examined the relationships between perceived stigma, internalized stigma, and mental health in the two subgroups. Respondents without U = U reported higher internalized HIV/AIDS stigma and mental health issues but lower perceived homosexual stigma. For this group, perceived HIV/AIDS stigma contributed to the internalization of stigma, with only internalized HIV/AIDS stigma significantly affecting mental health. Among those with U = U, perceived homosexual stigma and internalized HIV/AIDS stigma both negatively impacted mental health. Perceived stigma related to both identities was significantly associated with internalized homosexual stigma. U = U status significantly shapes the identity experiences and mental health of young Chinese MSM with HIV/AIDS. Tailored interventions addressing both HIV/AIDS and MSM-related stigma are needed, with an intersectional approach to reduce stigma and foster supportive environments. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).</p>","PeriodicalId":55531,"journal":{"name":"American Journal of Orthopsychiatry","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144236006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}