Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 50, Issue 4, 2015, Pages 549-560

Psychological distress in torture survivors: pre- and post-migration risk factors in a US sample (Article)

Song S.J.* , Kaplan C. , Tol W.A. , Subica A. , de Jong J.
  • a Center for Survivors of Torture, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, 2400 Moorpark Ave, San Jose, CA 95128, United States, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam, Kloveniersburgwal 48, Amsterdam, 1012 CX, Netherlands
  • b Research Professor and Associate Dean of Research, University of Southern California, School of Social Work, Hamovitch Center for Science in the Human Services, 1150 S. Olive Street Room 1426, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
  • c Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe St. #5041, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
  • d Psychology Applied Research Center, Loyola Marymount University, 1 LMU Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
  • e Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam, Kloveniersburgwal 48, Amsterdam, 1012 CX, Netherlands, Adjunct Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, United States, Emeritus Prof of Cultural and International Psychiatry VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationships between sociodemographic, pre- and post-migration variables with prevalence of psychological distress and global functioning in a heterogeneous sample of torture survivors.Methods: Clients referred from resettlement agencies via the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to a community clinic in the United States (N = 278) were interviewed with structured, translated questionnaires. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses determined the associations of sociodemographic, pre-, and post-migration risk factors with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and global functioning.Results: Regression data indicate that length of time between arrival in US and clinical services was significantly associated with PTSD and depression; participants receiving services after 1 year of resettlement were more likely to experience PTSD (adjusted OR = 3.29) and depression (adjusted OR = 4.50) than participants receiving services within 1 year. Anxiety was predicted by female gender (adjusted OR = 3.43), age over 40 years (adjusted OR = 3.12), Muslim religion (adjusted OR = 2.64), and receiving medical services (AOR 3.1). Severely impaired global functioning was associated with female gender (adjusted OR = 2.75) and unstable housing status (adjusted OR = 2.21).Conclusion: Findings highlight the importance of examining post-migration variables such as length of time in country prior to receiving services in addition to pre-migration torture history upon relocated torture survivors. Clinicians and policy-makers should be aware of the importance of early mental health screening and intervention on reducing the psychiatric burden associated with torture and forced relocation. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Author Keywords

Asylum Mental health Health services Refugee trauma

Index Keywords

anxiety depression refugee human sex difference Refugees survivor middle aged Survivors Stress, Psychological mental stress United States Humans psychology male female risk factor Risk Factors questionnaire prevalence Questionnaires adult age Sex Factors Age Factors Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Torture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84925507115&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-014-0982-1&partnerID=40&md5=a9ccc3e4ded249cc092dfb3dcb6bb1fd
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-014-0982-1
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 22
Original Language: English