Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms and Suicide Risk Among Syrian Refugees: The Mediating Role of Anxiety Sensitivity

Forced migration, as exemplified by the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis, has been linked to elevated psychiatric issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and increased suicide risk. This study explores the mediating role of anxiety sensitivity (AS) in the relationship between PTSD symptoms and suicide risk among Syrian refugees in Turkey. Data were collected from 574 Syrian refugees aged 18–65 years residing in Bursa province, using validated self-report scales, including the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3 (ASI-3), and the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS). Pearson correlation, independent samples t-test, and multiple binary logistic regression were employed for statistical analysis, while mediation analyses were performed using PROCESS for SPSS. The prevalence of PTSD among participants was 81.2%. Regression analyses indicated that while IES-R intrusion and hyperarousal subscales increased suicide risk, IES-R avoidance and ASI-3 physical concern subscales decreased it. Mediation analysis revealed a partial mediating effect of ASI-3 cognitive concern in the relationship between PTSD symptoms and suicidal ideation. Findings suggest that addressing cognitive concern may help mitigate suicide risk in PTSD-affected migrants. Additionally, avoidance and physical concern may act as temporary protective factors against suicide. These results highlight the need for tailored, trauma-focused mental health interventions to stabilize suicide risk before commencing PTSD treatment in forcibly displaced populations.