Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 192, Issue 12, 2004, Pages 843-851

Impact of a long asylum procedure on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Iraqi asylum seekers in The Netherlands (Article)

Laban C.J.* , Gernaat H.B.P.E. , Komproe I.H. , Schreuders B.A. , De Jong J.T.V.M.
  • a De Evenaar, Day Clin. Asylum S./R., Inst. of Comm. Mental Health Care, Beilen, Netherlands, De Evenaar, Day Clin. Asylum S./R., GGZ-Drenthe, Postbus 30000, 9410 RA Beilen, Netherlands
  • b Department of Psychiatry, Diaconessen Hospital, Meppel, Netherlands
  • c Transcultural Psychosocial Org., World Hlth. Org. Collaborating Ctr., Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • d Transcultural Psychosocial Org., World Hlth. Org. Collaborating Ctr., Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e Transcultural Psychosocial Org., World Hlth. Org. Collaborating Ctr., Amsterdam, Netherlands, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Clinically, a long asylum procedure seems to be associated with psychiatric disorders. However, data on this issue are lacking. In a national community-based study, using random sampling, we compared two groups of Iraqi asylum seekers, who had resided less than 6 months (N = 143) and more than 2 years (N= 151), respectively, in The Netherlands. Respondents were interviewed with fully structured, culturally validated, translated questionnaires. Psychiatric (DSM-IV) disorders were measured with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 and evaluated in relation with premigration and postmigration adverse life events. Overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 42% in the first group and 66.2% in the second. The prevalence rates of anxiety, depressive, and somatoform disorders were significantly higher in the second group. Posttraumatic stress disorder was high in both groups but did not differ (p > .05). On logistic regression of all relevant risk factors, a long asylum procedure showed an odds ratio of 2.16 (confidence interval = 1.15-4.08) for psychopathology. The conclusion is that, indeed, the duration of the asylum procedure is an important risk factor for psychiatric problems. Both politicians and mental health workers should take note of this finding.

Author Keywords

Asylum seekers Iraq psychiatric disorders life events trauma

Index Keywords

Netherlands depression anxiety disorder logistic regression analysis randomization Sampling Studies human Life Change Events Refugees middle aged Ethnic Groups controlled study Iraq Time Factors Aged Mental Disorders Cross-Sectional Studies mental disease Confidence interval epidemiological data interview Humans neuropsychological test Adolescent male female risk factor Risk Factors Psychiatric Status Rating Scales questionnaire prevalence Article Questionnaires adult posttraumatic stress disorder government regulation mental hospital public policy somatoform disorder
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-10644242582&doi=10.1097%2f01.nmd.0000146739.26187.15&partnerID=40&md5=082d6e14d0db7a671b9ee4962cb88e6f
DOI: 10.1097/01.nmd.0000146739.26187.15
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 195
Original Language: English