Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences
2019

A population study of prolonged grief in refugees (Article) (Open Access)

Bryant R.A.* , Edwards B. , Creamer M. , O'Donnell M. , Forbes D. , Felmingham K.L. , Silove D. , Steel Z. , McFarlane A.C. , Van Hooff M. , Nickerson A. , Hadzi-Pavlovic D.
  • a School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • b Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
  • c Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • d Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • e Phoenix Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • f School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
  • g School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • h School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • i Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
  • j Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
  • k School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • l School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

AimsDespite the frequency that refugees suffer bereavement, there is a dearth of research into the prevalence and predictors of problematic grief reactions in refugees. To address this gap, this study reports a nationally representative population-based study of refugees to determine the prevalence of probable prolonged grief disorder (PGD) and its associated problems.MethodsThis study recruited participants from the Building a New Life in Australia (BNLA) prospective cohort study of refugees admitted to Australia between October 2013 and February 2014. The current data were collected in 2015-2016, and comprised 1767 adults, as well as 411 children of the adult respondents. Adult refugees were assessed for trauma history, post-migration difficulties, probable PGD, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental illness. Children were administered the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.ResultsIn this cohort, 38.1% of refugees reported bereavement, of whom 15.8% reported probable PGD; this represents 6.0% of the entire cohort. Probable PGD was associated with a greater likelihood of mental illness, probable PTSD, severe mental illness, currently unemployed and reported disability. Children of refugees with probable PGD reported more psychological difficulties than those whose parents did not have probable PGD. Probable PGD was also associated with the history of imprisonment, torture and separation from family. Only 56.3% of refugees with probable PGD had received psychological assistance.ConclusionsBereavement and probable PGD appear highly prevalent in refugees, and PGD seems to be associated with disability in the refugees and psychological problems in their children. The low rate of access to mental health assistance for these refugees highlights that there is a need to address this issue in refugee populations. © 2019 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Bereavement Refugees Prevalence Prolonged grief disorder

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85071162549&doi=10.1017%2fS2045796019000386&partnerID=40&md5=ab9200c0b2cd2945968bbf54513f0e3e
DOI: 10.1017/S2045796019000386
ISSN: 20457960
Original Language: English