The Case of Adult Bosnian Muslim Male Refugees in Chicago: Current Health Behavior Outcomes and PTSD Symptomatology

Book excerpt: This study examined whether a relationship exists between the presence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomatology and health behavior outcomes. The study also examined the severity of PTSD symptomatology and particular health behaviors, among adult Bosnian Muslim male refugees residing in the greater Chicago area more than a decade after their arrival to the United States. 637 Bosnian Refugees in Chicago Questionnaires (BRCQ) were included in data analysis. Seven research hypotheses were tested using either the Pearson chi-square tests of independence or two independent sample t tests. This study found a statistically significant relationship between the presence of PTSD symptomatology and the respondents0́9 general health rating, recentness of a dental visit, and smoking frequency. Statistically significant relationship was found to exist between the severity of PTSD symptomatology and engagement in physical activity, availability of healthcare coverage, and sufficiency of funds for healthcare services. The study did not find a statistically significant relationship between PTSD status and the recentness of a routine medical visit. This study highlights the need for further studies among Bosnian refugees, as well as other refugee populations, long after their permanent resettlement in their host country, since most of the current programs and policies focus on newly arriving refugees, with very little focus on long-term and ongoing follow-up.