Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 2, 2025

Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
An exploratory study of embitterment in traumatized refugees
Julia Spaaij1, Matthis Schick2, Richard A Bryant3
1Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), University of Zurich (UZH), Culmannstrasse 8, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. julia.spaaij@usz.ch.
Refugee mental health is impacted by embitterment, a state of bitterness. Moral injury and low self-efficacy significantly contribute to this, highlighting the need for targeted interventions for refugees experiencing trauma.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Refugees and asylum seekers face significant trauma and adversity during displacement.
- While psychiatric disorders are documented, less is known about embitterment, moral injury, and self-efficacy.
- These factors are linked to trauma exposure and post-migration challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate embitterment and associated factors in refugees.
- To explore the relationship between moral injury, self-efficacy, and embitterment.
- To understand the impact of displacement and trauma on refugee mental health.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 71 refugees and asylum seekers in treatment.
- Assessed exposure to traumatic events, post-migration living difficulties, moral injury, self-efficacy, and embitterment.
- Used regression analysis to identify significant associations.
Main Results:
- 68% of participants reported elevated levels of embitterment.
- Higher moral injury appraisals were significantly associated with increased embitterment.
- Lower self-efficacy was also significantly linked to higher levels of embitterment.
Conclusions:
- Provides initial insights into embitterment in refugee populations.
- Highlights the role of moral transgressions and low self-efficacy in mental health issues.
- Informs future research, policy, and clinical practice for refugee mental healthcare.
More Related Videos
05:51Exploring the Use of Isolated Expressions and Film Clips to Evaluate Emotion Recognition by People with Traumatic Brain Injury
Published on: May 15, 2016
11:31Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Surveys
The Scientific Method
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Empathy
Cognitive Dissonance
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture