Introduction: Transgenerational migration can expose individuals to stressors that increase vulnerability to post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Protective factors, including positive childhood experiences and supportive family environments, may buffer these effects and enhance life satisfaction.
Purpose: This study examined whether childhood positive experiences and family protective factors predict PTSS and life satisfaction among 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Balkan migrants living in Türkiye. It was hypothesized that higher levels of these protective factors would be associated with lower PTSS and higher life satisfaction.
Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 60 adults between the age of 18-65 (M = 38.4, SD = 12.7). Participants completed Post-Traumatic Diagnostic Scale, Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale, Inventory of Family Protective Factors, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictive relationships.
Results: PTSS was negatively correlated with childhood positive experiences (r = −.47, p < .001) and family protective factors (r = −.41, p = .002). Life satisfaction was positively correlated with childhood positive experiences (r = .44, p < .001) and family protective factors (r = .38, p = .005). Multiple regression analyses indicated that childhood positive experiences (β = −.34, p = .01) and family protective factors (β = −.29, p = .02) significantly predicted PTSS (R² = .36, F(2,57) = 16.0, p < .001). For life satisfaction, childhood positive experiences (β = .35, p = .01) and family protective factors (β = .27, p = .03) explained 33% of the variance (R² = .33, F(2,57) = 14.0, p < .001).
Conclusion: Positive childhood experiences and supportive family environments are associated with lower PTSS and higher life satisfaction among Balkan migrant adults. These findings underscore the importance of resilience-focused interventions in applied psychology to foster well-being in migrant populations.
