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Cognitive Therapy and Research

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Open Access 01-06-2020 | Original Article

Daily Worry in Trauma-Exposed Afghan Refugees: Relationship with Affect and Sleep in a Study Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Authors: Theresa Koch, Alexandra Liedl, Keisuke Takano, Thomas Ehring

Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research | Issue 3/2020

Abstract

Background

Repetitive negative thinking—and worry as a common variant—have been suggested to be transdiagnostic maintaining factors of psychopathology in refugees. Using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) approach, this study tested the feasibility of EMA and the hypothesis of a self-reinforcing relationship (a) between worry and affect and (b) between worry and sleep in refugees. Additionally, we examined whether worry interacts with postmigration stress to impact on affect and sleep.

Methods

For 1 week, 45 trauma-exposed Afghan refugees received five prompts per day asking them to report on momentary levels of worrying and negative as well as positive affect. In addition, sleep quality was assessed in the morning and the occurrence of postmigration stress at night.

Results

Our findings did not indicate a bidirectional relationships (a) between worry and affective experiences and (b) between worry and poor sleep quality. However, worry experienced on a given day predicted increased negative affect on the next day; in turn, positive affect predicted decreased worrying on the next day. Hypotheses on the interaction between worry and stress in predicting affect and sleep were not supported.

Conclusion

These preliminary findings suggest unidirectional effects of daily worry on negative affect and positive affect on daily worry. However, the low compliance rate and the small sample size precludes drawing firm conclusions. Implications for further EMA research among refugees are discussed.

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R_C is a within-subject reliability coefficient, and is indicative to evaluate sensitivity to within-person change (Cranford et al. 2006).

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Title: Daily Worry in Trauma-Exposed Afghan Refugees: Relationship with Affect and Sleep in a Study Using Ecological Momentary Assessment
Authors: Theresa Koch
Alexandra Liedl
Keisuke Takano
Thomas Ehring
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Cognitive Therapy and Research / Issue 3/2020
Print ISSN: 0147-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2819
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020-10091-7

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Daily Worry in Trauma-Exposed Afghan Refugees: Relationship with Affect and Sleep in a Study Using Ecological Momentary Assessment

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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