Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment and Trauma
Volume 23, Issue 9, 2014, Pages 917-929

Trauma in resettled iraqi refugees: Differences between those seeking psychological treatment and those not seeking psychological treatment (Article)

Slewa-Younan S.* , Radulovic M. , Lujic S. , Hasan T. , Raphael B.
  • a Mental Health and Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South, NSW, Australia
  • b Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South, NSW, Australia
  • c Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South, NSW, Australia
  • d Mental Health, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South, NSW, Australia
  • e Disaster Response and Resilience Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Penrith South, NSW, Australia, Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Abstract

Psychological distress experienced by resettling refugees has been well documented, with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression being prevalent outcomes. This study examined psychological and physiological measures of trauma exposure in 2 groups of Iraqi refugees resettled in Australia, those seeking psychological treatment (n = 25) versus those not seeking treatment (n = 22). Data from a group of healthy sex- and age-matched controls (n = 32) were collected to facilitate norm comparisons for physiological arousal. Continuous recording of electrocardiogram data examined resting heart rate (HR). Refugees seeking treatment had significantly higher levels of PTSD symptomology and depression levels compared to non-treatment-seeking refugees; however, there was no difference in the number of trauma events endorsed. Finally, resting HR was significantly higher in both refugee groups compared with healthy controls; however, there was no difference between the refugee groups. Clinical consideration of this excessive trauma exposure and elevated autonomic arousal is warranted. © 2014 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

posttraumatic stress disorder Conflict affected populations psychophysiology Depression

Index Keywords

depression resting heart rate refugee Iraqi Australia psychological aspect human survivor controlled study DSM-IV-TR electrocardiography male female clinical article Article help seeking behavior adult posttraumatic stress disorder psychotrauma
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84920105085&doi=10.1080%2f10926771.2014.955897&partnerID=40&md5=61e94c054d0e8fa7433d8deb15e7302f
DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2014.955897
ISSN: 10926771
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English