BMC Public Health
Volume 9, 2009

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among Haitian immigrant students: Implications for access to mental health services and educational programming (Article) (Open Access)

Fawzi M.C.S. , Betancourt T.S. , Marcelin L. , Klopner M. , Munir K. , Muriel A.C. , Oswald C. , Mukherjee J.S.
  • a Program in Infectious Disease and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, Partners in Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • b Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • c Partners in Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Haitian Mental Health Clinic, Cambridge Hospital, Cambridge, MA, United States
  • e Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA, United States
  • f Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
  • g Partners in Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • h Program in Infectious Disease and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States, Partners in Health, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Background. Previous studies of Haitian immigrant and refugee youth have emphasized "externalizing" behaviors, such as substance use, high risk sexual behavior, and delinquency, with very little information available on "internalizing" symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Analyzing stressors and "internalizing" symptoms offers a more balanced picture of the type of social and mental health services that may be needed for this population. The present study aims to: 1) estimate the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Haitian immigrant students; and 2) examine factors associated with depression and PTSD to identify potential areas of intervention that may enhance psychosocial health outcomes among immigrant youth from Haiti in the U.S. Methods. A stratified random sample of Haitian immigrant students enrolled in Boston public high schools was selected for participation; 84% agreed to be interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. Diagnosis of depression and PTSD was ascertained using the best estimate diagnosis method. Results. The prevalence estimates of depression and PTSD were 14.0% and 11.6%; 7.9% suffered from comorbid PTSD and depression. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated factors most strongly associated with depression (history of father's death, self-report of schoolwork not going well, not spending time with friends) and PTSD (concern for physical safety, having many arguments with parents, history of physical abuse, and lack of safety of neighborhood). Conclusions. A significant level of depression and PTSD was observed. Stressors subsequent to immigration, such as living in an unsafe neighborhood and concern for physical safety, were associated with an increased risk of PTSD and should be considered when developing programs to assist this population. Reducing exposure to these stressors and enhancing access to social support and appropriate school-based and mental health services may improve educational attainment and psychosocial health outcomes among Haitian immigrant youth. © 2009 Fawzi et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression Interpersonal Relations psychological aspect demography human statistics Logistic Models Depressive Disorder ethnology Residence Characteristics human relation United States Young Adult Haiti student Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors Parent-Child Relations Article adult migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Students statistical model child parent relation Boston
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-76349118565&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2458-9-482&partnerID=40&md5=5942000cc731e1231c7fdf01672a1db8
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-9-482
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English