British Journal of Psychiatry
Volume 182, Issue MAY, 2003, Pages 444-448

Mental health of Kosovan Albanian refugees in the UK (Article) (Open Access)

Turner S.W.* , Bowie C. , Dunn G. , Shapo L. , Yule W.
  • a Traumatic Stress Clinic, London, United Kingdom, Traumatic Stress Clinic, Camden/Islington Mental Hlth./S., 73 Charlotte Street, London WIT 4PL, United Kingdom
  • b NHS Executive, London, United Kingdom
  • c University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
  • d Tirana Health Authority, Tirana, Albania
  • e Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: In 1999 the UK received 4346 refugees from Kosovo. Aims: To determine the prevalence of mental health problems in this group. Method: A sample of 842 adults was surveyed. All were asked to complete self-report questionnaires (translated into Kosovan Albanian). A subset of 120 participants were later interviewed in Albanian using the Clinician Administered PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) Scale and a depression interview. Results: The study yielded estimates of prevalence of PTSD and depression. Self-report measures appear to overestimate the prevalence of these disorders. Just under half of the group surveyed had a diagnosis of PTSD and less than one-fifth had a major depressive disorder. Conclusions: These results may be taken as a sign of the resilience of many who survived this conflict but they also imply that there is still a substantial need for good health and social care in a significant proportion. Psychosocial interventions are likely to be an important part of the treatment programme.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

anxiety depression refugee mental health human Refugees Self Report war Health Surveys Yugoslavia Great Britain Mental Disorders interview mental disease Humans male female Psychiatric Status Rating Scales prevalence Article Questionnaires adult posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic major depression health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0038704954&doi=10.1192%2fbjp.182.5.444&partnerID=40&md5=76b7120b7b4439c37d79c142d67d9a53
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.182.5.444
ISSN: 00071250
Cited by: 115
Original Language: English