European Journal of Psychotraumatology
Volume 10, Issue 1, 2019

‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany [“只有上帝才能保证愈合。“：在德国寻求庇护的撒哈拉以南非洲人中对于创伤后应激障碍治疗的求助意图和非专业观念] [“Sólo Dios puede prometer sanación”: Intenciones de búsqueda de ayuda y creencias laicas acerca de curas para el trastorno es estrés postraumático entre solicitantes de asilo provenientes de Africa Sub-Sahariana en Alemania] (Article) (Open Access)

Grupp F. , Moro M.R. , Nater U.M. , Skandrani S. , Mewes R.*
  • a Division of Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
  • b Hospital Cochin Paris, University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France
  • c Division of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
  • d Hospital Cochin Paris, University of Paris Nanterre, Paris, France
  • e Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies have reported high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health care for this group, further knowledge about treatment preferences might be necessary. Objective: We aimed to provide insights into help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for PTSD held by asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Germany. Methods: To address this objective, we used a quantitative and qualitative methodological triangulation strategy based on a vignette describing symptoms of PTSD. In the quantitative part of the study, asylum seekers (n = 119), predominantly from Eritrea (n = 41), Somalia (n = 36), and Cameroon (n = 25), and a German comparison sample without a migration background (n = 120) completed the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). In the qualitative part, asylum seekers (n = 26) reviewed the results of the questionnaire survey within eight focus group discussions sampled from groups of the three main countries of origin. Results: Asylum seekers showed a high intention to seek religious, medical, and psychological treatment for symptoms of PTSD. However, asylum seekers indicated a higher preference to seek help from religious authorities and general practitioners, as well as a lower preference to enlist psychological and traditional help sources than Germans without a migration background. Furthermore, asylum seekers addressed structural and cultural barriers to seeking medical and psychological treatment. Conclusion: To facilitate access to local health care systems for asylum seekers and refugees, it might be crucial to develop public health campaigns in collaboration with religious communities. When treating asylum seekers and refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, practitioners should explore different religious and cultural frameworks for healing and recovery in order to signal understanding and acceptance of varying cultural contexts. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

Sub-Saharan Africa Post-traumatic stress disorder Asylum seekers Help-seeking Refugees health care trauma

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074343421&doi=10.1080%2f20008198.2019.1684225&partnerID=40&md5=186f3f9aa7f36b808b9190cdf1bcc73b
DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1684225
ISSN: 20008198
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English