Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jph

Unlocking Resilience in Refugee Women: The 'Buoyancy

Strategy' for Trauma-Induced Mental and Physical Health
Challenges

Journal: Journal of Public Health

Manuscript ID JPH-23-0556.R1
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Manuscript Type: Correspondence

Date Submitted by the

06-Jun-2023
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Author:

Complete List of Authors: Mawarni, Anisa; Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan Lampung,
Department of Islamic Education Guidance and Counseling
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Rusandi, M. Arli; Universitas Riau Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu

Pendidikan, Guidance and Counseling; Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia,
Guidance and Counseling
Taufiq, Agus; Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Faculty of Educational
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Science
Ilfiandra, Ilfiandra; Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Department of
Guidance and Counseling
Ahman, Ahman; Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Faculty of Educational
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Science

Keywords: Mental health, Refugees, Women's health

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Page 1 of 6 Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

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3 Unlocking resilience in refugee women: the 'buoyancy strategy' for trauma-induced
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6 mental and physical health challenges
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10 Anisa Mawarni1, M. Arli Rusandi2, Agus Taufiq3, and Ilfiandra Ilfiandra4, and Ahman, Ahman5
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12 1Departement
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of Islamic Education Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan
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15 Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia
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17 2 Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
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19 3,5Faculty of Educational Science, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
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4Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia

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26 Author Note
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29 Anisa Mawarni anisamawarni@radenintan.ac.id

30 M. Arli Rusandi arli.rusandi@lecturer.unri.ac.id
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32 Agus Taufiq afiq@upi.edu

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34 Ilfiandra ilfiandra@upi.edu
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Ahman ahman@upi.edu
37 We have no conflict of interest to disclose.
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41 Acknowledgements
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43 We want to express our sincere gratitude to LPDP and Puslapdik Kemendikbud-Ristek for
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45 their generous financial support and for providing scholarships to the first author. We are
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truly grateful for their commitment to supporting academic research and the development of
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48 knowledge in this field.
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52 Correspondence:
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M. Arli Rusandi
56 Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Riau
57 Kampus Binawidya Km. 12.5 Simpang Baru 28293, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
58 Phone: +62856-5117-8383
59 E-mail: arli.rusandi@lecturer.unri.ac.id
60 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7385-104X

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3 Unlocking resilience in refugee women: the 'buoyancy strategy' for trauma-induced
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6 mental and physical health challenges
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8 Recent research has indicated a significant link between forced displacement, trauma,
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10 anxiety, depression, and early onset of Type 2 Diabetes among Syrian refugee women.1 The
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urgent situation calls for effective psychosocial interventions. Drawing upon this context, we
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15 propose a resilience-based approach, which we call ‘buoyancy strategy’ which has the
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17 potential to alleviate the psychological and physical challenges faced by these women.
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‘buoyancy strategy’ a concept adapted from academic buoyancy, signifies an
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22 individual's ability to withstand life's adversities and negate the grasp of negative thoughts,
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24 attitudes, and behaviours. 2,3 This concept, when applied to refugee women experiencing
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26 trauma-induced anxiety, depression, and obesity, could bolster their mental and physical
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29 health. The essence of the 'buoyancy strategy' lies in six critical characteristics: confidence,
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31 coordination, commitment (persistence), composure, control, and community. Evidence
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33 suggests these attributes are linked to improved mental health and overall well-being.4
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Promoting a 'buoyancy strategy' in traumatized women requires a three-step process.
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38 Firstly, fostering self-awareness is essential. These displaced women must be encouraged to
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40 understand their emotional landscape, acknowledge their unique circumstances, and
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recognize their inherent strengths. Tools like reflective journaling, meditation, and
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45 psychological self-assessment instruments could prove invaluable. For instance, reflective
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47 journaling could be directed to encourage these women to write about their experiences and
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49 their impacts on their physical and mental health. Meditative techniques, such as breathing
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52 exercises taught by trained professionals, can help them manage stress and develop resilience
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54 in challenging situations.5
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56 Prevention constitutes the second step. Here, counselling services can play a pivotal
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role. Professionally trained counsellors can assist these women in devising action plans to
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3 boost their ‘buoyancy strategy’, provide them with efficient coping mechanisms, and offer
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6 insightful advice to surmount their hurdles. For example, counsellors could educate them
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8 about recognizing early signs of depression, anxiety, and diabetes and share stress
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10 management strategies such as relaxation techniques and healthy eating habits to reduce the
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risk of diabetes.
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15 Lastly, the curative approach is primarily required when 'buoyancy strategy' levels are
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17 low. This situation may necessitate further professional intervention. Experienced counsellors
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or psychologists can administer tailored therapy, either individual or group-based, designed
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22 to foster a 'Buoyancy Strategy' with a specific focus on cultivating their strengths. For
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24 instance, in severe cases of depression or anxiety, evidence-based therapy such as cognitive-
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26 behavioural therapy could be utilized. For diabetes, referral to a specialist or a dietician might
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29 be required for more specific medical and dietary guidance.

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31 As counsellors, we have observed the transformative influence of the 'buoyancy
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33 strategy.' It nourishes positive mental health and facilitates personal growth, especially in
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those grappling with severe life stressors, such as Syrian refugee women. However, the
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38 responsibility of nurturing mental health should not fall on the shoulders of counsellors or
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40 psychologists alone.
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All parties involved in these women's lives, such as educators, peers, family members,
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45 and even policymakers, play a critical role. By comprehending and implementing the
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47 'buoyancy strategy principles, we can offer improved support, empowering these women to
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49 confront life's trials head-on and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
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3 References
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6 1. Venkatachalam T, O'Sullivan S, Platt DE, et al. The impact of forced displacement:
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8 trauma, increased levels of inflammation and early presentation of diabetes in women
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10 Syrian refugees. J Public Health (Bangkok). Epub ahead of print 5 April 2023. DOI:
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10.1093/pubmed/fdad037.
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15 2. Comerford J, Batteson T, Tormey R. Academic Buoyancy in Second Level Schools:
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17 Insights from Ireland. Procedia Soc Behav Sci 2015; 197: 98–103.
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3. Martin AJ, Marsh HW. Academic resilience and its psychological and educational
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22 correlates: A construct validity approach. Psychol Sch 2006; 43: 267–281.

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24 4. Hoferichter F, Hirvonen R, Kiuru N. The development of school well-being in
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26 secondary school: High academic buoyancy and supportive class- and school climate
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29 as buffers. Learn Instr 2021; 71: 101377.

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31 5. Rusandi MA, Solehuddin M, Ilfiandra I, et al. Smoking is good. Why and how? J
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33 Public Health (Bangkok). Epub ahead of print 8 April 2023. DOI:
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10.1093/pubmed/fdad025.
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Page 5 of 6 Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

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3 Unlocking resilience in refugee women: the 'buoyancy strategy' for trauma-induced mental
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6 and physical health challenges
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10 Anisa Mawarni1, M. Arli Rusandi2, Agus Taufiq3, and Ilfiandra Ilfiandra4, and Ahman, Ahman5
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12 1Departement
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of Islamic Education Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Intan
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15 Lampung, Lampung, Indonesia
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17 2 Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Riau, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
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19 3,5Faculty of Educational Science, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
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4Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Indonesia
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26 Author Note
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29 Anisa Mawarni anisamawarni@radenintan.ac.id
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30 M. Arli Rusandi arli.rusandi@lecturer.unri.ac.id

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32 Agus Taufiq afiq@upi.edu
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34 Ilfiandra ilfiandra@upi.edu
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Ahman ahman@upi.edu
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37 We have no conflict of interest to disclose.

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41 Acknowledgements
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43 We want to express our sincere gratitude to LPDP and Puslapdik Kemendikbud-Ristek for their
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45 generous financial support and for providing scholarships to the first author. We are truly
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grateful for their commitment to supporting academic research and the development of
47
48 knowledge in this field.
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52 Correspondence:
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M. Arli Rusandi
56 Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Riau
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60 http://jpubhealth.oupjournals.org
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3 Kampus Binawidya Km. 12.5 Simpang Baru 28293, Pekanbaru, Indonesia
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Phone: +62856-5117-8383
6 E-mail: arli.rusandi@lecturer.unri.ac.id
7 ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7385-104X
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