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.
  • a School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • b Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
  • c Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Zurich University Hospital, University of Zurich, Switzerland
  • d School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
  • 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

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression refugee human Refugees comorbidity Middle East middle aged time factor Bosnia and Herzegovina Time Factors ethnology Sri Lanka quality of life Surveys and Questionnaires Humans psychology male female psychological rating scale Psychiatric Status Rating Scales questionnaire prevalence adult migration posttraumatic stress disorder sex factor Sex Factors Age Factors Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic age patient attitude Emigration and Immigration Patient Acceptance of Health Care Switzerland Torture

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