Interpersonal integrative pilot project for refugees with mental disorders: Presentation of the project and initial results on feasibility and outcome [Interpersonelles Integratives Modellprojekt für Geflüchtete mit psychischen Störungen: Vorstellung des Projekts und erster Ergebnisse zu „Feasibility“ und Outcome]

Psychotherapeut
Volume 62, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 322-332

Interpersonal integrative pilot project for refugees with mental disorders: Presentation of the project and initial results on feasibility and outcome [Interpersonelles Integratives Modellprojekt für Geflüchtete mit psychischen Störungen: Vorstellung des Projekts und erster Ergebnisse zu „Feasibility“ und Outcome] (Article)

Brakemeier E.-L.* , Zimmermann J. , Erz E. , Bollmann S. , Rump S. , von Kempski V. , Grossmüller T. , Mitelman A. , Gehrisch J. , Spies J. , Storck T. , Schouler‑Ocak M.

^a Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany, AG Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie, Fachbereich Psychologie (Raum 03039), Philipps-Universität, Gutenbergstr. 18, Marburg, 35037, Germany
^b Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
^c Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany
^d Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany, Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
^e Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
^f Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
^g Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany
^h Humboldt Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
ⁱ Philipps-Universität, Marburg, Germany
^j Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
^k Psychologische Hochschule Berlin, Berlin, Germany
^l St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus, Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité, Berlin, Germany

Abstract

Background: Due to the high numbers of mentally ill refugees, the “Interpersonal Integrative Pilot Project for Refugees” (IIPPR) was implemented in Berlin in November 2015. This short-term psychotherapy program aimed for a timely treatment of mental problems, while at the same time supporting the integration into the working and social world. Within the scope of an open study, feasibility and outcome were examined by quantitative and qualitative analyses. Material and methods: A total of 37 patients mainly from Syria participated in the IIPPR, within which a modified version of interpersonal psychotherapy (10 sessions) amongst others augmented with 4 sessions of social counseling was applied. The most frequent diagnoses were depression (70.2%) and posttraumatic stress disorder (43.2%). First results: The drop-out rate was 24.3%, while 85.5% of patients who completed the program rated the project as “good” or “very good”. The initially high mental distress decreased, while the quality of life significantly improved with medium effect sizes. A helpful cooperation with job centers was successfully established. Conclusion: Based on the promising results, the project should be optimized as a short-term program and be evaluated within the scope of a multicenter matched-care approach. © 2017, Springer Medizin Verlag Berlin.

Author Keywords

Integration intercultural psychotherapy Social counseling Interpersonal psychotherapy Matched-care approach

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021261568&doi=10.1007%2fs00278-017-0211-y&partnerID=40&md5=9bda2a9e05da3717e4c63e95a59286f3

DOI: 10.1007/s00278-017-0211-y

ISSN: 09356185

Original Language: German