Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

War Trauma Heightens Stress Response in Refugees

9/23/2025

44 9

Summary

Story summary

A Translational Psychiatry study links war trauma exposure to heightened physiological responses to others' distress, with higher stress resonance tied to greater PTSD symptoms.
The research focuses on Arabic-speaking refugees and migrants in Germany, examining stress resonance—the alignment of observer and distressed person.
67 participants watched a stress test, with heart rate and cortisol measured; authors include Christiane Wesarg-Menzel.

1 of 1

Story summary

A Translational Psychiatry study links war trauma exposure to heightened physiological responses to others' distress, with higher stress resonance tied to greater PTSD symptoms.
The research focuses on Arabic-speaking refugees and migrants in Germany, examining stress resonance—the alignment of observer and distressed person.
67 participants watched a stress test, with heart rate and cortisol measured; authors include Christiane Wesarg-Menzel.