Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Volume 51, Issue 4, 2016, Pages 539-549

Determinants of resource needs and utilization among refugees over time (Article)

Wright A.M.* , Aldhalimi A. , Lumley M.A. , Jamil H. , Pole N. , Arnetz J.E. , Arnetz B.B.
  • a Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
  • b Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Department of Psychology, University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI, United States
  • c Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
  • d Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
  • e Department of Psychology, Smith College, Northampton, MA, United States
  • f Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
  • g Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States, Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined refugees’ resource needs and utilization over time, investigated the relationships between pre-displacement/socio-demographic variables and resource needs and utilization, and explored the role of resource needs and utilization on psychiatric symptom trajectories. Methods: Iraqi refugees to the United States (N = 298) were assessed upon arrival and at 1-year intervals for 2 years for socio-demographic variables and pre-displacement trauma experiences, their need for and utilization of 14 different resources, and PTSD and depressive symptoms. Results: Although refugees reported reduction of some needs over time (e.g., need for cash assistance declined from 99 to 71 %), other needs remained high (e.g., 99 % of refugees reported a need for health care at the 2-year interview). Generally, the lowest needs were reported after 2 years, and the highest utilization occurred during the first year post-arrival. Pre-displacement trauma exposure predicted high health care needs but not high health care utilization. Both high need for and use of health care predicted increasing PTSD and depressive symptoms. Specifically, increased use of psychological care across the three measurement waves predicted more PTSD and depression symptoms at the 2-year interview. Conclusions: Differences emerged between need for and actual use of resources, especially for highly trauma-exposed refugees. Resettlement agencies and assistance programs should consider the complex relationships between resource needs, resource utilization, and mental health during the early resettlement period. © 2015, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Author Keywords

Resource need Resource utilization Depression Refugees PTSD

Index Keywords

depression refugee Follow-Up Studies follow up human Refugees statistics and numerical data health service Iraq ethnology Health Services Needs and Demand United States Young Adult Humans psychology male female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics adult Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic patient attitude Patient Acceptance of Health Care
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84941703122&doi=10.1007%2fs00127-015-1121-3&partnerID=40&md5=775b4c224ad7635c6b092d89b9f0b9c3
DOI: 10.1007/s00127-015-1121-3
ISSN: 09337954
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English