A Study on Trauma and Psychosomatic Experiences of Syrians under Temporary Protection Status

Abstract

In the modality of community, social transformations in economic, political, and cultural domains reshape relationships, behavioral patterns, and social structures. These transformations bring about structural shifts that affect individuals on psychological, physical, and social levels. When such changes fail to provide adequate support for adaptation, they function as social stressors. Consequently, individuals may experience relational, temporal, and emotional challenges due to cognitive, affective, and behavioral difficulties. This state of adversity leads to a decrease in subjective well-being and life satisfaction, while also intensifying unresolved stress, often manifesting through traumatic somatic symptoms. This study explores the trauma and psychosomatic experiences of Syrians who were forcibly displaced to Turkey due to war. Specifically, it investigates how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its comorbidity, psychosomatization, affect the everyday lives of displaced individuals. Utilizing a phenomenological approach within qualitative research methodology, the study includes 16 Syrians living under temporary protection in Kilis. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed around themes of relational, temporal, and emotional life experiences. The findings indicate that disruptions in these three domains significantly contribute to the emergence and persistence of trauma and psychosomatic symptoms. Many participants reported chronic physical pain and bodily complaints linked to traumatic experiences, suggesting that psychosomatic symptoms are not only widespread but also culturally embedded manifestations of PTSD. Additionally, participants expressed a deep sense of social isolation and exclusion from the broader social environment, further exacerbating their psychological and physical distress.

Keywords

• Psychology
• Middle East and Migration
• Trauma
• Psychosomatization
• Syrians under Temporary Protection Status

Geçici Koruma Statüsündeki Suriyelilerin Travma ve Psikosomatik Yaşantı Deneyimleri Üzerine Bir Araştırma

Abstract

Topluluk modalitesinde; ekonomik, politik ve kültürel alanda yaşanan sosyal bağlamdaki değişimler, topluluğun ilişkilerinde, davranış kalıplarında ve sosyal yapılarında birtakım dönüşümlere neden olur. Bu sosyal dönüşüm, topluluktaki bireylerin ruhsal, bedensel ve sosyal olarak yapısal değişimlerle karşı karşıya kalmasına neden olur. Bu yapısal değişimler, uygun dönüşüm ihtiyacını karşılayamadığında sosyal zorlantıya dönüşerek bilişsel, duyuşsal, devinişsel deneyim zorluklarıyla bireyi ilişkisel, zamansal ve duygusal temelde zor bir deneyime çeker. Bu zorluk hâli, topluluktaki bireylerin yaşam memnuniyetini öznel yoğunlukta belirli düzeyde düşmesine ve böylece de dönüştürülemeyen, çözümlenemeyen zorlantının stresörler vasıtasıyla büyüyüp genişlemesine, travmatik somatik bulgular ile somutlaştırılmasına neden olur. Bu çalışmada savaş nedeniyle Türkiye’ye zorunlu olarak göç eden Suriyelilerin, travma ve psikosomatik yaşantı deneyimleri incelenmektedir. Bu deneyimlerin birey üzerindeki etkilerinin incelenmesinin hedeflendiği çalışmada, travma sonrası stres bozukluğu (TSSB) ve bu bozukluğun özgül komorbiditesi olan psikosomatizasyon deneyimlerinin bireylerin günlük yaşamlarına yansımalarının analiz edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden fenomenolojik yaklaşıma dayanmaktadır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubu, Kilis ilinde geçici koruma statüsünde ikamet etmekte olan 16 Suriyeliden oluşmaktadır. Çalışmanın verileri yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler aracılığıyla toplanmış olup ilişkisel, zamansal ve duygusal yaşantı deneyimleri başlıkları altında ele alınmıştır. Araştırma, geçici koruma statüsündeki Suriyelilerin ilişkisel, zamansal ve duygusal yaşantı deneyimlerinin, travma ve psikosomatik belirtilerin ortaya çıkışında belirleyici olduğunu göstermektedir. Araştırmada uzun süreli stresin ve travma altında yaşamanın katılımcıların büyük çoğunluğunda travmatik ve psikosomatik belirtilere neden olduğu görülmüştür. Katılımcıların yaşadığı travmatik olaylar, genellikle bedensel ağrı ve yakınmalar olarak gözlemlenirken; psikosomatik belirtilerin travma sonrası stres bozukluğunun kültüre dayanan yaygın bir sonucu olduğunu göstermiştir. Bununla birlikte, katılımcıların toplumsal yapıdan izole görüntü verdikleri ve dışlanmış hissettikleri gözlemlenmiştir.

Keywords

• Psikoloji
• Ortadoğu ve Göç
• Travma
• Psikosomatizasyon
• Geçici Koruma Statüsündeki Suriyeliler

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