Torture : quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture
Volume 24, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 25-39

Symptoms, quality of life and level of functioning of traumatized refugees at psychiatric trauma clinic in Copenhagen (Article)

Buhman C. , Mortensen E.L. , Lundstrøm S. , Ryberg J. , Nordentoft M. , Ekstrøm M.
  • a Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Psychiatric Center Ballerup, the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
  • b Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Psychiatric Center Ballerup, the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
  • c Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Psychiatric Center Ballerup, the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
  • d Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Psychiatric Center Ballerup, the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
  • e Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Psychiatric Center Ballerup, the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark
  • f Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry (CTP), Psychiatric Center Ballerup, the Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark

Abstract

METHOD: All patients receiving treatment at the Psychiatric Trauma Clinic for Refugees in Copenhagen from April 2008 to February 2010 completed self-rating inventories on symptoms of PTSD, depression and anxiety as well as level of functioning and quality of life before treatment. Then, associations of pre and post migratory factors with mental health were explored using linear and logistic regression and Pearson's correlation coefficients.RESULTS: Among the patients, the prevalence of depression, somatic disease, pain, psychotic symptoms co-existing with PTSD and very low level of functioning was high. Persecution, being an ex-combatant and living currently in social isolation were significantly associated with PTSD arousal symptoms and self-reported pain.CONCLUSIONS: New treatment modalities should seek to address all of the symptoms and challenges of the patients including psychotic and somatic symptoms and social isolation, and studies of treatment effect should clarify all co-morbidities so that comparable populations can be included in treatment evaluation studies.OBJECTIVE: To characterize physical and mental health in trauma exposed refugees by describing a population of patients with regard to background, mental health history and current health problems; and to identify pre- and post-migratory predictors of mental health.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression refugee health disparity complication Health Status Disparities mental health human social isolation comorbidity Refugees Denmark statistics and numerical data Stress, Psychological mental stress pain International Classification of Diseases ethnology quality of life Humans psychology male female adult Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Torture
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84941746832&partnerID=40&md5=4c88f1ccf622b12d72a7640020751136
ISSN: 19973322
Cited by: 17
Original Language: English