1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« This article focuses on the relationship between separation from family and trauma [...]. » (p. 41)

Questions/Hypothèses :
This study is trying to answer to « [...] two questions: (a) Does the interaction between premigration personal and family trauma and extended separation from the family have an impact on refugees’ degree of emotional distress? and (b) What personal and family mechanisms might explain the interaction between separation and trauma in refugee groups coming from contrasting contextual and cultural backgrounds? » (p. 41)
« [...] We also hypothesize that in comparable traumatic situations culture would affect both the consequences of family separation and the strategies put forward by the family members to cope with this separation. » (p. 41)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
« The final sample therefore consisted of 113 subjects: 60 Latin Americans and 53 Africans. » (p. 42)

Instruments :
Questionnaires :
- Symptom Checklist (SCL), last version;
- List of several different types of trauma;
- Guide d’entretien semi-directif

Type de traitement des données :
- Analyse statistique;
- Analyse de contenu.

3. Résumé

« Although the vast majority of refugees have suffered trauma and extended separation from their families in exile, little is known about the interactions between these two types of experience. » (p. 40)
This study is about traumatic experiences to refugees and extended separation from family associated to emotional distress.
The results from the analysis performed « [...] suggest that the joint occurrence of trauma and separation has a significant impact on emotional distress and confirm that the family plays a key role as an anchor of emotion and identity. » (p. 40)