European Psychiatry
Volume 17, Issue 8, 2002, Pages 451-458

Belief systems as coping factors for traumatized refugees: A pilot study (Article)

Brune M. , Haasen C.* , Krausz M. , Yagdiran O. , Bustos E. , Eisenman D.
  • a Clin. for Psychiat./Psychotherapy, Univ. Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martini Str. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • b Clin. for Psychiat./Psychotherapy, Univ. Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martini Str. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • c Clin. for Psychiat./Psychotherapy, Univ. Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martini Str. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • d Clin. for Psychiat./Psychotherapy, Univ. Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martini Str. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
  • e Inst. Psychother./Intercul. Commun., Stockholm, Sweden
  • f Div. Gen. Int. Med./Hlth. Serv. Res., UCLA, Department of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

The severity of traumatization seems to correlate with a more severe course of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (and other post-traumatic disorders), while firm belief systems have been found to be a protective factor against post-traumatic disorders. This study sought to determine the role of belief systems in the outcome of psychotherapy for traumatized refugees. The charts of 141 consecutively treated refugees were evaluated retrospectively. A firm belief system was found to be an important predictor for a better therapy outcome. The importance of a firm belief system as a coping factor, which should be used as an instrument in therapy, is discussed. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS.

Author Keywords

Post-traumatic disorders Belief systems Coping PTSD Organized violence

Index Keywords

rating scale refugee clinical feature human controlled study coping behavior priority journal geographic distribution psychotherapy Treatment Outcome male female prediction pilot study tranquilizer Article major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder disease severity retrospective study antidepressant agent
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0036924035&doi=10.1016%2fS0924-9338%2802%2900708-3&partnerID=40&md5=31cabe841159c6354b4a03e582d5136b
DOI: 10.1016/S0924-9338(02)00708-3
ISSN: 09249338
Cited by: 49
Original Language: English