Correlates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Forcibly Displaced Adults in Armenia
L Musheghyan, L Aslanyan, A Agopian, E Mkhitaryan, D Muradyan, Z Sargsyan, V Hayrumyan, D Abrahamian, A DorianAbstract
Background
Forcibly displaced populations have an increased risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to exposure to conflict, loss, and ongoing uncertainty, however, evidence from non-camp, community-based settings is limited. As part of the Community Wellbeing Project, launched in Masis, Armenia, to support the overall health, wellbeing and resilience of the displaced population of Nagorno-Karabakh (NK), we examined the prevalence and correlates of PTSD among displaced adults following the 2023 forced displacement of over 100,000 individuals from NK to Armenia.
Methods
A cross-sectional community-based household survey was conducted between February and July 2025 (n = 746), in Masis, Armenia. PCL-5 (cutoff ≥31) was used to assess PTSD presence. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) with an exchangeable correlation structure were used to examine the socio-demographic and exposure-related correlates (e.g. cumulative exposure stressful events) of PTSD accounting for clustering at the household level. Associations with depression and health-related quality of life were also explored.
Results
The prevalence of PTSD was 67.6%. PTSD scores were positively correlated with depression (rs = 0.56, p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with health-related quality of life (rs=-0.21, p < 0.001). In multivariable GEE analysis, older age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03), female gender (OR = 3.15, 95% CI: 2.09–4.74), and higher exposure to stressful events (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.10–1.26) were independently associated with increased odds of PTSD.
Conclusions
PTSD burden is high among forcibly displaced populations from NK. Women, older adults, and individuals with higher exposure to stressful events represent priority groups for potential mental health interventions. The strong correlation of PTSD with depression and decreased health-related quality of life highlights the need to integrate mental health into broader service programming in displacement settings.
Key messages
• High PTSD burden in community-based displacement settings highlights urgent mental health needs.
• Humanitarian responses should integrate mental health into service programming, prioritizing high-risk groups.