The Influence of Executive Functioning on Internalizing and Somatic Symptoms in Trauma-Exposed Arab Resettled Refugee Parent-Child Dyads

The proposed study will inform future prevention and intervention development targeting promotion of psychosocial outcomes after exposure to trauma using cognitive and family-based supports. This study is relevant as refugee health is considered to be a critical issue in public health as the numerous mental and physical health consequences that can result from forced migration and resettlement are costly and can pose significant psychiatric morbidity for trauma-exposed refugees over the life course. If the aims of the proposed project are achieved, novel data exploring refugee trauma, executive functioning, and internalizing and somatic symptoms will be obtained, a better understanding of how cognitive functions may serve as intergenerational protective factors after trauma exposure will be gained, and the applicant will receive specialized training necessary to pursue an independent research career in the intersection of trauma and cognitive science research.