Psychiatrist
Volume 39, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 178-182

Trauma exposure and refugee status as predictors of mental health outcomes in treatment-seeking refugees (Article) (Open Access)

Knipscheer J.W.* , Sleijpen M. , Mooren T. , June Ter Heide F.J. , Van Der Aa N.
  • a Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen/Oegstgeest, Netherlands, Utrecht University, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • b Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen/Oegstgeest, Netherlands, Utrecht University, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht, Netherlands
  • c Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen/Oegstgeest, Netherlands
  • d Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen/Oegstgeest, Netherlands
  • e Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen/Oegstgeest, Netherlands

Abstract

Aims and method: This study aimed to identify predictors of symptom severity for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in asylum seekers and refugees referred to a specialised mental health centre. Trauma exposure (number and domain of event), refugee status and severity of PTSD and depression were assessed in 688 refugees. Results: Symptom severity of PTSD and depression was significantly associated with lack of refugee status and accumulation of traumatic events. Four domains of traumatic events (human rights abuse, lack of necessities, traumatic loss, and separation from others) were not uniquely associated with symptom severity. All factors taken together explained 11% of variance in PTSD and depression. Clinical implications: To account for multiple predictors of symptom severity including multiple traumatic events, treatment for traumatised refugees may need to be multimodal and enable the processing of multiple traumatic memories within a reasonable time-frame. © 2015 The Authors.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

abuse depression refugee mental health human injury health status human rights abuse asylum seeker predictor variable Treatment Outcome male female prediction symptom prevalence sexual abuse Article help seeking behavior major clinical study adult posttraumatic stress disorder outcome assessment disease severity eye movement desensitization and reprocessing disease association practice guideline DSM-IV Rape
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84971501010&doi=10.1192%2fpb.bp.114.047951&partnerID=40&md5=bb55e8bd79a903b50ffa1b2bac7fa328
DOI: 10.1192/pb.bp.114.047951
ISSN: 17583209
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English