Journal of Traumatic Stress
Volume 30, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 409-415
Comorbidity of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Tortured, Treatment-Seeking Refugees (Article)
Nickerson A.* ,
Schick M. ,
Schnyder U. ,
Bryant R.A. ,
Morina N.
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a
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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b
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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c
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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d
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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e
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
Abstract
Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression is common in refugee groups; however, little is known about the predictors and correlates of comorbidity in treatment-seeking refugees. Participants in this study were 134 refugees resettled in Switzerland. Most participants were from Turkey, Iran, and Sri Lanka, and 92.7% had been exposed to torture. Self-report measures were implemented to assess PTSD, depression, mental and physical health-related quality of life (QoL), as well as pre- and postmigration experiences. Findings indicated that approximately half the sample met criteria for PTSD and depression, 33.6% met criteria for depression only, and only 2.2% met criteria for PTSD only. Several variables emerged as predictors of comorbidity in contrast to no diagnosis: female gender, odds ratio (OR) = 0.17; age, OR = 0.93; time in Switzerland, OR = 1.16; and trauma exposure, OR = 1.19. Postmigration stress was also associated with greater likelihood of comorbidity compared with no diagnosis, OR = 1.32, and a single diagnosis, OR = 1.14. Further, dual diagnosis was associated with significantly poorer mental health-related and physical health-related QoL (mental health-related QoL: dual diagnosis vs. single diagnosis, d = −0.52 and dual diagnosis vs. no diagnosis, d = −1.30; physical health-related QoL: dual diagnosis vs. single diagnosis, d = −0.73 and dual diagnosis vs. no diagnosis: d = −1.04). Findings indicated that comorbidity was highly prevalent in this sample of treatment-seeking refugees and was associated with a substantial impairment burden. Psychological interventions for refugees should consider the dual impact of PTSD and depression symptoms to optimally decrease distress and improve QoL in this vulnerable group. Copyright © 2017 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85026519801&doi=10.1002%2fjts.22205&partnerID=40&md5=3de2d1aff3fa53a823a182b7291bd005
DOI: 10.1002/jts.22205
ISSN: 08949867
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English