The Invisible Bond of Trauma: Examining Sibling Influence on Psychological Distress in Syrian Refugee Youth

As the global refugee crisis escalates, conflict continues to traumatize and displace an increasing number of children, exposing them to considerable psychological challenges. Although studies have found links in psychological distress among native-born, non-refugee siblings and other refugee family dyads, none have examined possible correlations among adolescent refugee siblings.

We conducted a prospective, longitudinal analysis of Syrian refugee youth anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms. Data was collected within one month of arrival to the U.S. and two years later. Correlation analyses of sibling dyads were performed, controlling for trauma exposure, to determine the independent influence of sibling symptom severity on mental health outcomes.

Upon resettlement, anxiety symptoms significantly predicted sibling anxiety (b = 1.47, p < 0.001), though no association emerged between sibling PTSD symptoms. Two years post-resettlement, neither PTSD nor anxiety symptom severity correlated among siblings.

Coupling of anxiety in the immediate aftermath of forced migration may be more likely between siblings, whereas later anxiety may be more related to independent life and resettlement factors. Similarity in post-resettlement anxiety symptoms among siblings underscores shared experiences and the need for family-based interventions.