Cited by 28Religion, Spirituality, and PsychologyMigration, Health and TraumaPosttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Religious coping, perceived discrimination, and posttraumatic growth in an international sample of forcibly displaced Muslims

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Alsubaie, Mohammed K., Dolezal, Michael, Sheikh, Ifrah S., Rosencrans, Peter, Walker, Rosemary S., Zoellner, Lori A., Bentley, Jacob·2021·Mental Health, Religion & Culture

Abstract

Displaced persons are exposed to trauma and experience posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS). Many displaced Muslims come from communities that rely on religious practices to cope with traumatic experiences, and religious coping has been identified as predictive of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Discrimination may contribute to increased PTS and promote in-group identification. In this study, we hypothesized that perceived discrimination would enhance the relationship between religious coping and PTG. Results indicated that religious coping predicted PTG, but the overall interaction with discrimination was not significant. However, probing moderating effects at discrete levels of discrimination yielded enhanced relationship between religious coping and PTG at its mean and above until reaching the highest values of discrimination. For individuals who experience moderate to high levels of discrimination, religious coping increased PTG. These findings highlight the essential role of religious coping in promoting growth for many Muslims exposed to forced migration and elevated levels of discrimination.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Alsubaie, M. K., Dolezal, M., Sheikh, I. S., Rosencrans, P., Walker, R. S., Zoellner, L. A., & Bentley, J.
Affiliations
  • Seattle Pacific University (US)
  • Georgia State University (US)
  • University of Washington (US)
Corresponding author
Alsubaie, Mohammed K.
Venue
Mental Health, Religion & Culture
Published
2021-10-21
Volume
24
Issue
9
Pages
976-992
ISSN
  • 1367-4676 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-9737
OpenAlex
W3209351208
Cited by
28
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 2
FWCI
2.21
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Mental Health Religion & Culture (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • University of Washington
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R34MH112756)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Migration, Health and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Keywords
religious coping, perceived discrimination, posttraumatic growth, forced displacement, Muslims, forced migration, posttraumatic stress symptoms, ingroup identification

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