Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 195, Issue 9, 2007, Pages 723-728

Transcultural validity of a structured diagnostic interview to screen for major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder among refugees (Article)

Eytan A.* , Durieux-Paillard S. , Whitaker-Clinch B. , Loutan L. , Bovier P.A.
  • a Adult Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Chêne-Bourg, Switzerland, Adult Psychiatry Service, Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, 2 Chemin du Petit-Bel-Air, CH-1225 Chêne-Bourg, Switzerland
  • b Migrant Health Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
  • c Migrant Health Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
  • d Migrant Health Centre, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
  • e Medical Policlinic, Department of Community Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

Refugees and asylum seekers have a high risk of developing mental health problems and appropriate screening in people from diverse origins remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to validate a structured diagnostic interview, adapted from the Major Depressive Episode (MDE) and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) sections of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, to detect these disorders among newly arrived asylum seekers. The adapted questionnaire was administered by nurses in a primary care context and its performance was judged against the expert opinion of a mental health specialist. One hundred one subjects were included in the study (mean age: 30; origin: Africa 58%, Europe: 37%, Asia: 5%). MDE and PTSD were diagnosed among 33% and 30% of them respectively. The questionnaire demonstrated moderate sensitivity (MDE: 79%; PTSD: 69%), but high specificity (MDE: 95%; PTSD: 94%). These characteristics remained stable despite cultural differences and use of interpreters. This instrument could be used for systematic screening of MDE and PTSD in refugees from various origins. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Author Keywords

Major depression Screening Instrument validation Asylum seekers posttraumatic stress disorder

Index Keywords

validity Negro Asian primary medical care refugee nurse psychological aspect Caucasian demography human Refugees statistics Asian continental ancestry group comparative study Humans Cross-Cultural Comparison African Continental Ancestry Group male female psychological rating scale reproducibility Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Reproducibility of Results questionnaire cultural factor prevalence sensitivity and specificity Article Questionnaires adult major clinical study migration posttraumatic stress disorder European Continental Ancestry Group structured interview Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Emigration and Immigration Depressive Disorder, Major major depression Switzerland primary health care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-38449097305&doi=10.1097%2fNMD.0b013e318142c9f6&partnerID=40&md5=f7abed45cf4f7e30a6213548de69637d
DOI: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e318142c9f6
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 24
Original Language: English