Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 188, Issue 7, 2000, Pages 416-421

Profiling the trauma related symptoms of Bosnian refugees who have not sought mental health services (Article)

Weine S.M.* , Razzano L. , Brkic N. , Ramic A. , Miller K. , Smajkic A. , Bijedic Z. , Boskailo E. , Mermelstein R. , Pavkovic I.
  • a Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States, Health Research and Policy Centers, 850 W. Jackson Street, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
  • b Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • c Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • d Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • e Department of Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, United States
  • f Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • g Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • h Chicago Health Outreach, Chicago, IL, United States
  • i Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States
  • j Proj. Genocide, Psychiat. Witnessing, College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, United States

Abstract

The objective of this study was to profile trauma related psychiatric symptoms in a group of refugees not seeking mental health services and to consider the services implications. The study involved research assessments of two groups of Bosnian refugees: those who have not presented for mental health services and those who have. A total of 28 of 41 nonpresenters (70%) met symptom criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis. All service presenters (N = 29) met symptom criteria for PTSD diagnosis. The group that did not present for services reported substantial but lower trauma exposure, PTSD symptom severity, and depression symptom severity. They had significant differences on all subscales of the MOS SF-36, indicating better health status. We concluded that those who do not seek services have substantial symptom levels, but their self-concept appears to be less oriented toward illness and help seeking. Innovative access, engagement, and preventive interventions are needed to address those who have symptoms but do not readily seek help for trauma mental health services.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

symptomatology depression refugee mental health service human Life Change Events Refugees middle aged Chicago violence health status Bosnia and Herzegovina Aged Mental Health Services Bosnia-Herzegovina disease course Humans Treatment Outcome Severity of Illness Index male female Aged, 80 and over clinical article scoring system Article adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic politics disease severity Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-20244373460&doi=10.1097%2f00005053-200007000-00004&partnerID=40&md5=9668b52a7415877de170c615306925fa
DOI: 10.1097/00005053-200007000-00004
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 54
Original Language: English