Posttraumatic growth among refugees in transit context

There is a growing body of evidence on positive outcomes related to refugees' traumatic experiences, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, there is a lack of studies exploring PTG among refugees in transit context, where contextual specifics differ from destination countries, and include threatened safety and prolonged state of alert. Two aims of this study were to assess PTG among refugees in transit and explore the psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic growth inventory used in this context.

Two hundred forty-nine refugees residing in transit countries along the Balkan route, 76% men, with an average age of 29.65 years completed PTGI, assessing PTG, Refugee Health Screener-15, assessing psychological vulnerability, and the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index, assessing psychological well-being. The results showed a moderate to high presence of PTG among participants.

Exploratory factor analysis (maximum likelihood extraction, Promax factor rotation), suggested the retention of three factors, which accounted for 44.88% of the total items variance-changes in self-perception, changes in interpersonal relationships, and changed philosophy of life. To test the predictive power of PTGI for well-being, over and above psychological difficulties, hierarchical linear regression was performed, showing changes in interpersonal relationships and changed philosophy of life significantly added to the prediction of well-being, over and above measures of symptomatology.

The study showed that PTG can be developed under highly stressful and uncertain circumstances, demonstrating the potential for positive psychological change among refugees in transit. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive mental health interventions fostering well-being and recovery. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).