International Journal of Mental Health Systems
Volume 10, Issue 1, 2016

Psychological distress is influenced by length of stay in resettled Iraqi refugees in Australia (Article) (Open Access)

Uribe Guajardo M.G.* , Slewa-Younan S. , Smith M. , Eagar S. , Stone G.
  • a University of Western Sydney, Mental Health, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • b University of Western Sydney, Mental Health, School of Medicine, Sydney, Australia
  • c New South Wales Refugee Health Service, Liverpool, Australia
  • d New South Wales Refugee Health Service, Liverpool, Australia
  • e University of Western Sydney, Centre for Research in Mathematics, School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Sydney, Australia

Abstract

Background: Psychological distress has been well identified in recently resettled refugee groups; however, evidence on psychological distress over time is not conclusive. Australia has welcomed a large refugee population in recent decades, including Iraqis who currently form one of the largest groups being resettled in Australia. Methods: This study aimed to explore psychological distress in two samples of Iraqi refugees, those who recently arrived (n = 225, average length of stay = 0.55 months) and those with a longer period of resettlement (n = 225, average length of stay = 58.5 months). To assess general symptoms of anxiety and depression, the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale was employed. Associations between participants' demographic characteristics and psychological distress levels were examined. Results: A significant difference between groups, t (441) = -2.149, p = 0.0324, was found, indicating that study participants with longer periods of resettlement were experiencing higher levels of psychological distress than recent arrivals. Conclusion: Our findings have implications for both for government and non-government funded organisations who should consider the provision of assistance programs beyond the initial arrival period. © 2016 Uribe Guajardo et al.

Author Keywords

Psychological distress Australia Iraqi refugees Length of stay

Index Keywords

anxiety depression refugee Iraqi Australia demography human psychologic assessment priority journal length of stay marriage male female Article Kessler Psychological Distress Scale major clinical study adult distress syndrome disease severity psychological distress assessment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84955478438&doi=10.1186%2fs13033-016-0036-z&partnerID=40&md5=523585b612f5241eebc0ef09dc564beb
DOI: 10.1186/s13033-016-0036-z
ISSN: 17524458
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English