A cluster analysis in traumatized refugees: high versus low pathology

Abstract

Previous studies concluded that worldwide tens of thousands (former) refugees who resettled in Western countries probably have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Miller (2003, 2004) demonstrated in cluster analytic studies that internalizing and externalizing personality styles are associated with different PTSD comorbidities. The present study conducted a cluster analysis on PTSD symptoms, which yielded support for a two cluster analysis. Participants had resettled in the Netherlands resulting from persecution, war, and violence. The two clusters reflect a high and low pathology cluster. The high pathology cluster, in this study is defined by more reported traumatic events and more avoidant coping compared to the second cluster. Participants in the second cluster seek more social support. The results of this study contribute to the growing recognition that there is more than the corefeatures as defined by DSM-IV-TR. This is the first study to conduct a cluster analysis on PTSD symptoms in sample of refugees.