Mental health impacts of historical loss: evidence From the Australian Assyrian community study

Background: Historical loss reflects the collective grief stemming from cultural destruction, including the loss of land, language and identity. For Assyrian Australians, such trauma is not confined to the past but persists through systemic exclusion and intergenerational impacts. Objective: This study examined the mental health impacts of historical loss among Assyrian diaspora living in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey involving 260 participants (Sept 2023–July 2024) included the historical loss scale (HLS), Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Results: Of the 260 participants who partially completed the survey, 247 (95.0%) and 228 (87.7%) provided valid data on K10 and PTSD, respectively. The historical loss score average (standard deviation [SD]) was 29.04 (11.06), with a median of 28 (interquartile range: 20, 39). Respondents were predominantly female (63.93%), relatively young (mean 31.67 years, SD = 12.51) and predominantly Christians (95.55) and in good or excellent health (72%). The mean HLS score was 29.04 (SD = 11.06). The prevalence of high and very high psychological distress was 27.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.3, 33.5) and 23.5% (95% CI: 18.6, 29.2), respectively, whilst 14.9% (95% CI: 10.83, 20.18) reported clinically significant PTSD symptoms. HLS was positively associated with K10 (β = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.07, 0.30; p < 0.01) and PTSD symptoms (β = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.03; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Findings demonstrated the significant psychological burden of historical loss and its impacts on Assyrian Australians. A trauma-informed approach that considers collective trauma is recommended when working with this population in a clinical context.