Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 206, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 61-68

The range and impact of postmigration stressors during treatment of trauma-affected refugees (Article)

Bruhn M.* , Rees S. , Mohsin M. , Silove D. , Carlsson J.
  • a Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Maglevaenget 2, Ballerup, 2750, Denmark
  • b Psychiatry Research and TeachingUnit, University of NewSouthWales, Academic Mental Health Unit, South West Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
  • c Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Southwest Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia, School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
  • d Psychiatry Research and TeachingUnit, University of NewSouthWales, Academic Mental Health Unit, South West Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
  • e Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Maglevaenget 2, Ballerup, 2750, Denmark

Abstract

Trauma-affected refugees commonly experience postmigration stressors, which can compound conflict-related emotional distress. Our study aimed to assess clinician-rated frequency and types of postmigration stressors deemed to be interfering with the treatment of refugees attending a service for trauma-related mental distress. A total of 116 patients completed 6 months of multidisciplinary treatment. Clinician-rated postmigration stressors were registered at each session. Outcome measures were Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and Global Assessment of Functioning, function (GAF-F) and symptom. Postmigration stressors were deemed to impact on 39.1% of treatment sessions with medical personnel. Issues related to work, finances, and family were the most frequently identified stressors. Postmigration stressors interfering with treatment were more common among male refugees, those living alone, those from Middle Eastern origin, and persons with low baseline GAF-F. Explicitly identifying and, where possible, dealing with postmigration stressors may assist in averting their interference with the treatment of distress in refugees. Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

posttraumatic stress disorder Postmigration stressors Trauma-affected refugees multidisciplinary treatment clinical trial

Index Keywords

refugee complication mental health human Refugees medical personnel work Stress, Psychological mental stress cognitive behavioral therapy Mental Disorders Global Assessment of Functioning mental disease Surveys and Questionnaires Young Adult Humans family psychology Adolescent Treatment Outcome male female psychological rating scale Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Harvard Trauma Questionnaire questionnaire emotional stress Article major clinical study adult migration distress syndrome outcome assessment Emigration and Immigration psychotrauma antidepressant agent finance
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85043789291&doi=10.1097%2fNMD.0000000000000774&partnerID=40&md5=e500bb9092ebd9bb6e15704a217d394c
DOI: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000774
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English