In the Wake of 1974: Psychological Well-Being and Post-Traumatic Stress in Greek Cypriot Refugee Families

Abstract

This study examines the health of Greek Cypriot refugee families who suffered the traumas of displacement and death of family members. Thirty refugee and twelve non-refugee families (N=118) completed ten self-report inventories assessing their resources, coping styles, well-being, and post-traumatic stress. Results indicate that the resources of social support, education, income, and family adaptability, and coping through support-seeking, positively predicted adaptation to war trauma. Twenty-two per cent of the refugee family sample and none of the non-refugee family sample exhibited PTSD, and 94% of these subjects were women. A model of family adaptation is presented, and implications for clinical intervention and public policy are discussed.