Frontiers in Psychiatry
Volume 9, Issue OCT, 2018

Changes in post-migration living difficulties predict treatment outcome in traumatized refugees (Article) (Open Access)

Schick M.* , Morina N. , Mistridis P. , Schnyder U. , Bryant R.A. , Nickerson A.
  • a Department of Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • b Department of Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • c Department of Consultation Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • d Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
  • e School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  • f School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Abstract

Background: Refugee mental health is affected by traumatic stressors as well as post-migration living difficulties (PMLD). However, their interaction and causal pathways are unclear, and so far, no distinct treatment recommendations regarding exile-related stressors exist. Methods: In a 3-year follow-up study, PMLD and symptoms of post-traumatic stress (PTS), depression and anxiety were examined in a clinical sample of severely traumatized refugees and asylum seekers (N = 71). Results: In regression analysis, reduction in PMLD predicted changes over time in depression/anxiety, but not in PTS. The opposite models with PMLD changes as outcome variable proved not significant for PTS, and significant, though less predictive, for depression/anxiety. Conclusions: In addition to well-established trauma-focused interventions for the treatment of PTS, psychosocial interventions focusing on PMLD might contribute to a favorable treatment response in traumatized refugees, particularly with regard to depression and anxiety. © 2018 Frontiers Media S.A. All Rights Reserved.

Author Keywords

Asylum seekers Refugee mental health psychosocial interventions posttraumatic stress disorder Refugees Post-migration living difficulties social integration

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85055118030&doi=10.3389%2ffpsyt.2018.00476&partnerID=40&md5=82b5ba04ae68a711b16d4ea9e5698095
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00476
ISSN: 16640640
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English