Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 21, Issue 3, 2019, Pages 483-489

Depression, Anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and a History of Pervasive Gender-Based Violence Among Women Asylum Seekers Who Have Undergone Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Retrospective Case Review (Article)

Lever H. , Ottenheimer D. , Teysir J. , Singer E. , Atkinson H.G.*
  • a Mount Sinai Human Rights Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • b Mount Sinai Human Rights Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • c Mount Sinai Human Rights Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • d Mount Sinai Human Rights Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
  • e Office of Student Affairs, Department of Medical Education and Academic Affairs, City University of New York School of Medicine, 160 Convent Avenue, Harris Hall, Room 113, New York, NY 10031, United States, Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, United States

Abstract

We sought to evaluate the frequency of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and any experiences of violence in women who had undergone Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) and were seeking asylum in the United States. We undertook a retrospective qualitative descriptive study of FGM/C cases seen in an asylum clinic over a 2-year period. Standardized questionnaires provided quantitative scores for anxiety, depression and PTSD. Clients’ personal and physician medical affidavits were analyzed for experiences of violence. Of the 13 cases, anxiety and depression were exhibited by 92 and 100% of women, while all seven women screened for PTSD had symptoms. Qualitative analysis revealed extensive violence perpetrated against these women, demonstrating that FGM/C is only part of the trauma experienced. The high level of mental health disorders and endured violence has implications for providers working with FGM/C survivors and indicates the need for accessible mental health services and trauma-informed care. © 2018, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.

Author Keywords

Female genital mutilation/cutting Asylum seekers Depression Mental health Anxiety Gender-based violence PTSD

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85049597651&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-018-0782-x&partnerID=40&md5=9f2594e228e04231c584cf91da30562b
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0782-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English