Rethinking Refugee Trauma: A systemic approach to healing

Thirty years ago, my first encounter with refugee trauma left me with more questions than answers. Since then, psychological research has made significant strides in understanding both the struggles and strengths of displaced populations. Scholars like Kira (2004) have emphasized the multiple layers of trauma—psychological, cultural, and environmental—while Miller and Rasmussen (2010) underscored the importance of adapting interventions to the sociocultural realities of displaced communities. These insights are crucial, yet there remains much to learn—and even more to do.

Advances in psychobiology, cognitive science, and somatic interventions have transformed how we understand trauma. We now recognize trauma symptoms as normal human responses to abnormal, distressing events. But when it comes to trauma rooted in political violence and forced migration, our understanding remains frustratingly limited. Psychological models—often Eurocentric, individualistic, and internalizing—may not fully capture the complexity of the refugee experience.

The research underscores this gap. Foa et al. (1989) showed how environmental stressors amplify trauma—a reality I have witnessed firsthand. Inadequate living conditions, loss of community, and lack of resources compound suffering. Beyond the psychological toll, relational and social disruptions emerge as some of the most profound consequences of forced displacement.

More recent studies reinforce these findings. Li et al. (2021) highlight the crucial role of social relationships in refugee mental health, showing that strong community connections can significantly mitigate the effects of trauma. Hynie (2018) takes this further, discussing housing, employment, and social integration as key post-migration factors that shape refugee well-being. Silove et al. (2017) propose an ecological model of adaptation, illustrating how past trauma interacts with ongoing stressors at individual, family, and societal levels. Turrini et al. (2017) emphasize the impact of post-migration hardships like unemployment, poor living conditions, and social isolation.

This body of research affirms what many of us working in the field have long understood: refugee trauma is not solely located within the individual—it is relational, communal, and often intergenerational. Healing cannot be confined to clinical settings alone. Recognizing this, I developed a systemic approach to trauma recovery that extends beyond psychological impacts to include the broader interconnected factors shaping refugees’ lives—relationships, community, culture, social structures, physical environment, and the unfolding nature of trauma over time.

If we are to truly support refugee resilience, we must move beyond narrow, individual-focused frameworks. A systemic approach invites us to see trauma not as an isolated psychological condition but as deeply embedded in the lived realities of displacement. The work ahead lies not only in refining our understanding but in reshaping how we respond.