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Backhaus S, Blackwell A, Gardner F. The effectiveness of parenting interventions in reducing violence against children in humanitarian settings in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024:106850. [PMID: 38880688 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Violence against children is a global phenomenon, yet children living in humanitarian settings are at elevated risk of experiencing violent parenting. Parenting interventions are a recommended prevention strategy. OBJECTIVE To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of parenting interventions in preventing violence against children and related parent and child outcomes. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING Primary caregivers in humanitarian settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS A highly sensitive multi-language systematic search in electronic and grey-literature database. Studies were appraised for risk of bias, summary effects by certainty of effect, and effect estimates pooled using robust variance estimation. RESULTS Twenty-three randomized trials were meta-analyzed finding a small effect on physical and psychological violence (n = 14, k = 21, d = -0.36, 95 % CI [-0.69, -0.04]), positive parenting (n = 16, k = 43, d = 0.48, 95 % CI [0.29, 0.67]), negative parenting (n = 17, k = 37, d = -0.42, 95 % CI [-0.67, -0.16]), parental poor mental health (n = 9, k = 15, d = -0.34, 95 % CI [-0.66, -0.02]), and internalizing behaviors (n = 11, k = 29, d = -0.38, 95 % CI [-0.70, -0.05]); a non-significant effect on externalizing child behaviors (n = 9, k = 17, d = -0.12, 95 % CI [-0.50, 0.27]). Too few studies reported intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and parenting stress outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that parenting interventions in humanitarian settings in LMICs may be an effective strategy to reduce physical and psychological violence, and numerous related parent and child outcomes. However, findings need to be interpreted in light of the limited number of available studies and imprecise statistical significance for selected outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Backhaus
- Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, UK; Research Institute Child Development and Education, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Alexandra Blackwell
- Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Frances Gardner
- Centre for Evidence-based Intervention, Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, UK
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Serra R, Purgato M, Tedeschi F, Acartürk C, Karyotaki E, Uygun E, Turrini G, Winkler H, Pinucci I, Wancata J, Walker L, Popa M, Sijbrandij M, Välimäki M, Kösters M, Nosè M, Anttila M, Churchill R, White RG, Lantta T, Klein T, Wochele-Thoma T, Tarsitani L, Barbui C. Effect of trauma on asylum seekers and refugees receiving a WHO psychological intervention: a mediation model. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2355828. [PMID: 38828909 PMCID: PMC11149571 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2355828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Scalable psychological interventions such as the WHO's Self-Help Plus (SH+) have been developed for clinical and non-clinical populations in need of psychological support. SH+ has been successfully implemented to prevent common mental disorders among asylum seekers and refugees who are growing in number due to increasing levels of forced migration. These populations are often exposed to multiple, severe sources of traumatisation, and evidence of the effect of such events on treatment is insufficient, especially for non-clinical populations.Objective: We aim to study the effect of potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs) and the mediating role of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on the improvement following SH+.Method: Participants allocated to SH+ who received at least three sessions (N = 345) were extracted from two large, randomised, European prevention trials involving asylum seekers and refugees. Measures of distress, depression, functional impairment, and post-traumatic stress symptoms were administered at baseline and 6 months post-intervention, together with measures of well-being and quality of life. Adjusted models were constructed to examine the effect of PTEs on post-intervention improvement. The possible mediating role of PTSD symptoms in this relationship was then tested.Results: Increasing numbers of PTEs decreased the beneficial effect of SH+ for all measures. This relationship was mediated by symptoms of PTSD when analysing measures of well-being and quality of life. However, this did not apply for measures of mental health problems.Conclusions: Exposure to PTEs may largely reduce benefits from SH+. PTSD symptomatology plays a specific, mediating role on psychological well-being and quality of life of participants who experienced PTE. Healthcare professionals and researchers should consider the role of PTEs and PTSD symptoms in the treatment of migrants and refugees and explore possible feasible add-on solutions for cases exposed to multiple PTEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Serra
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Purgato
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ceren Acartürk
- Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Trauma and Disaster Mental Health, Bilgi University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Eirini Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ersin Uygun
- Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Trauma and Disaster Mental Health, Bilgi University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Giulia Turrini
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Irene Pinucci
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Johannes Wancata
- Division of Social Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lauren Walker
- School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, London, UK
| | - Mariana Popa
- Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maritta Välimäki
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- School of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Markus Kösters
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, T U Dresden, Chemnitz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michela Nosè
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Minna Anttila
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Rachel Churchill
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Ross G. White
- School of Psychology, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Tella Lantta
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thomas Klein
- Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Carl Gustav Carus Faculty of Medicine, T U Dresden, Chemnitz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Lorenzo Tarsitani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Corrado Barbui
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Molyneux K, Singer E. Asylum seekers and the role of the acute care physician. J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2024; 5:e13196. [PMID: 38887226 PMCID: PMC11180694 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.13196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
There has been a recent influx of migrants and asylum seekers to the United States. They often arrive with poor social support and an inability to access reliable health care. This can lead to overutilization of emergency departments (ED) while awaiting legal proceedings. With asylum seekers in all 50 states, it is important for emergency physicians (EP) to understand the barriers to care and difficulties asylum seekers face, and to gain tools to improve both migrants' and community health. Migration and experiences within the United States can worsen pre-existing health conditions. EPs are uniquely positioned to screen for acute pathology and link people to care. Psychiatric illnesses may present differently in asylum seekers. EPs must understand the sequalae of trauma to address it. EPs must also be aware of legal protections for asylum seekers to care for these patients, and recognize challenges faced by the population to mitigate health disparities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Molyneux
- Department of Emergency MedicineColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Elizabeth Singer
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Medical EducationIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Della Rocca B, Bello R, Carbone M, Pezzella P, Toni C, Sampogna G, Tarsitani L, Luciano M, Fiorillo A. Promoting mental health and preventing mental health problems in child and adolescent refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review on psychosocial interventions. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024; 70:653-666. [PMID: 38069651 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231214964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), children and adolescents represent 41% of all forcibly displaced individuals. They have to deal with conflicts, violence, and the many difficulties of flight and resettlement during a critical stage of their emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development. They are more likely to experience mental health problems during migration. Despite the several known risk factors, it is frequently challenging for refugees and asylum seekers to get mental health care. In this paper we review available studies on interventions aimed at promoting mental health and at preventing common mental disorders in immigrant adolescents and children. METHODS The relevant PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO and Web of Science databases were searched for papers published until March 21, 2023, using ("immigrants" OR "migration" OR "asylum seekers" OR "refugees") AND ("promotion" OR "prevention") AND ("mental health" OR "mental disorders" OR "psych*") AND ("children" OR "adolescents" OR "young adults") as search string. Fourteen articles qualified for the detailed review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The majority of available interventions, although highly heterogeneous in format and content, showed significant improvement in several psychopathological dimensions, including trauma-related symptoms, psychological stress, anxiety, depressive and cognitive symptoms. Available studies on interventions for the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health in refugees and asylum seekers children and adolescents indicate that provided interventions were associated with a global improvement for participants. Implementation strategies to improve their scalability are highly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Della Rocca
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosaria Bello
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Carbone
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Pasquale Pezzella
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudia Toni
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaia Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Mario Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Largo Madonna delle Grazie, Naples, Italy
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Hamid A, Williams ACDC, Albakri M, Scior K, Morgan S, Kayal H, Wilcockson M, Drouish Alkaja R, Alsayed S, Logie R, Farrand S, Abdul-Hamid W. Mental health and conflict: a pilot of an online eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) intervention for forcibly displaced Syrian women. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1295033. [PMID: 38873297 PMCID: PMC11173598 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1295033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The Syrian conflict has been ongoing since 2011. Practical and scalable solutions are urgently needed to meet an increase in need for specialised psychological support for post-traumatic stress disorder given limited availability of clinicians. Training forcibly displaced Syrians with a mental health background to remotely deliver specialised interventions increases the availability of evidence based psychological support. Little is known about the effectiveness of online therapy for forcibly displaced Syrian women provided by forcibly displaced Syrian women therapists. Purpose To pilot an evidence-based trauma therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), carried out online by trained forcibly displaced Syrian women therapists for forcibly displaced Syrian women who require treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods 83 forcibly displaced Syrian women, living in Türkiye or inside Syria, with diagnosable PTSD, were offered up to 12 sessions of online EMDR over a period of 3 months. This was delivered by forcibly displaced Syrian women therapists who were trained in EMDR. Data were gathered, using Arabic versions, on PTSD symptoms using the Impact of Events Scale Revised, depression symptoms using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and anxiety symptoms using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 at baseline, mid-point, and end of therapy. Results PTSD scores, depression scores and anxiety scores all significantly reduced over the course of treatment, with lower scores at midpoint than baseline and lower scores at end of treatment than at midpoint. Only one participant (1%) exceeded the cutoff point for PTSD, and 13 (16%) exceeded the cutoff points for anxiety and depression at the end of treatment. Conclusion In this pilot study up to 12 sessions of online EMDR were associated with reductions in PTSD, anxiety and depression symptoms in Syrian women affected by the Syrian conflict. The training of forcibly displaced Syrian mental health professionals to deliver online therapy is a relatively low cost, scalable, sustainable solution to ensure that those who are affected by the conflict can access specialised support. Further research is needed using a control group to confirm that the observed effects are due to EMDR treatment, as is research with post-treatment follow-up to ascertain that benefits are maintained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aseel Hamid
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda C. de C. Williams
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Katrina Scior
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Matthew Wilcockson
- Coventry University and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Rouba Drouish Alkaja
- Trauma Aid UK, Somerset, United Kingdom
- Independent Psychologist, Gaziantep, Türkiye
| | - Sahbaa Alsayed
- Trauma Aid UK, Somerset, United Kingdom
- Independent Psychologist, Gaziantep, Türkiye
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Gkintoni E, Kourkoutas E, Yotsidi V, Stavrou PD, Prinianaki D. Clinical Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Analysis. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:579. [PMID: 38790574 PMCID: PMC11119036 DOI: 10.3390/children11050579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Background: This systematic review aggregates research on psychotherapeutic interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children and adolescents. PTSD in this demographic presents differently from adults, necessitating tailored therapeutic approaches. In children and adolescents, PTSD arises from exposure to severe danger, interpersonal violence, or abuse, leading to significant behavioral and emotional disturbances that jeopardize long-term development. The review focuses on describing PTSD within two age groups, children (6 to 12 years) and adolescents (12 to 18 years), while evaluating the effectiveness of various clinical interventions aimed at this condition. Methods: Utilizing the PRISMA guidelines, this review systematically examines studies that assess clinical interventions for PTSD in the younger population. Results: Key symptoms of PTSD in children and adolescents include avoidance, overstimulation, flashbacks, depression, and anxiety. The review identifies several effective treatments, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Systemic Therapy, Play Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Relaxation Techniques, and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. Particularly, TF-CBT is highlighted as the most effective and commonly used method in treating childhood and adolescent PTSD, as supported by most of the studies reviewed. Conclusions: A significant outcome of this study is the short-term effectiveness of CBT in reducing PTSD symptoms in children and adolescents. The findings underline the importance of psychotherapeutic interventions and mark a substantial advancement in understanding PTSD in young populations. It is crucial for practitioners to integrate various psychotherapeutic strategies into their practice to improve patient outcomes and treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenia Gkintoni
- Department of Psychiatry, University General Hospital of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Elias Kourkoutas
- Department of Primary Education, Research Center for the Humanities, Social and Education Sciences, University of Crete, 74100 Rethymno, Greece;
| | - Vasiliki Yotsidi
- Department of Psychology, Panteion University, 17671 Athens, Greece;
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Ekblad S, Gramatik O, Suprun Y. Increasing perceived health and mental health literacy among separated refugee Ukrainian families with urgent needs occasioned by invasion-a group intervention study with participatory methodology in Sweden. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1356605. [PMID: 38799690 PMCID: PMC11122463 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1356605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background With the increasing numbers of refugees from Ukraine affected by the ongoing war, there is a high risk of trauma-related stress due to low local health and mental health literacy care. Perceived good health is a human right. Earlier studies show that intervention for refugees can reduce and prevent post-migration stress and anxiety. The present explorative study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a short, trauma-focused group intervention (in Swedish "hälsoskola") for Ukrainian-speaking refugees (EU's mass refugee directive). This intervention was part of an ESF project aiming to get the subjects closer to the labor market in Västernorrland County, Sweden. Materials and methods A mixed-methods design, a participatory methodology, and an evaluation were used. Data were obtained with a short questionnaire in Ukrainian. It included a visual analogue health-rating scale, an observation, and an oral evaluation in groups. For practical and ethical reasons, there was no control group. Each group met five times for 2 h, a total of 10 h excluding pre- and post-assessment. There were eight sets of five group sessions per set, a total of 40 sessions. Brief initial and concluding breathing exercises sought to reduce stress among the participants. Results Baseline data were obtained from 99 participants, mostly females. Data gathered directly after the group intervention from 57 participants who had filled in both the pre- and post-questionnaires showed that (1) perceived anxiety/stress was significantly reduced (chi-2 25,53, df = 4, p < 001). (2) The participants showed significantly better perceived health as assessed on a visual analogue scale (average change from 63.16 to 71.18, p < 0.001). This result was supported by the participants' questions, which were qualitatively evaluated using thematic content analysis. Five general themes stemmed from questions raised in dialogue with the participants plus observation with the respective local expert. The participants received answers to their questions, and their perceived negative attitudes to authorities changed to more positive ones. Conclusion By dialogue between the participants' needs of knowledge and direct answers by the local expert, respectively, was feasible and effective as they perceived trust and health and mental health literacy increased. Implications for primary prevention are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solvig Ekblad
- Cultural Medicine Research Group, Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics (LIME), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Mohammed Bilal M, Moawia Balla Elnour S, Mohamed Elmahdi ZZ, Mustafa Mudawi Ahmed E. Mental health consequences among Sudanese due to the armed conflicts and civil unrest of 2023: a cross-sectional study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024; 70:563-573. [PMID: 38214246 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231221101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
AIM To investigate depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia levels among Sudanese citizens during the 2023 Armed Forces conflict in Sudan. METHODS An online survey was distributed. It is composed of five parts, covering the following areas: (a) sociodemographic data; (b) depression assessment; (c) generalized anxiety disorder assessment; (d) post-traumatic stress disorder assessment; and (e) insomnia assessment.Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used for data analysis; frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-square test were used for correlation and association analysis; a p-value equal to or less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The study included 221 participants, whose ages were 35.02 ± 11.83 years. Among the participants, 57.5% were female. The length of stay in the war zone was 39.29 ± 31.71 days. The sound of gunfire, bombs, or explosions was the most frequent war violence personally experienced by participants or their family members, friends, or acquaintances, in 203 (91.8%) and 221 (100%), respectively. Moderate-severe and severe depression were present in 25.3% and 62.0%, respectively. Moderate and severe anxiety were present in 36.2% and 52.9%, respectively. 58.8% had PTSD. Sub-threshold insomnia was present in 57.5%. There was a negative correlation between sex (female) and depression (correlation coefficient = -.183, p-value = .006), which indicates that depression is more likely to be in females. For PTSD, there was a negative correlation between age and PTSD (correlation coefficient = -.150, p-value = 0.026), which indicates that younger age groups were more likely to experience PTSD. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between marital status (married) and PTSD (correlation coefficient = -.175, p-value = .009), which indicates that married participants were more likely to experience PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to war-related trauma can also lead to mental health issues. These findings emphasize the urgent need for proper mental health support and interventions in war-affected areas to address the prevalent mental disorders.
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Gonçalves Tasca B, Bousmah MAQ, Coulibaly K, Gosselin A, Ravalihasy A, Desgrées du Loû A, Melchior M. Depression and loneliness among Sub-Saharan immigrants living in the greater Paris area: results from the MAKASI empowerment stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2024:10.1007/s00127-024-02665-7. [PMID: 38584200 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-024-02665-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The MAKASI intervention aimed to empower Sub-Saharan African immigrants living in precarious situations in the Paris metropolitan area. Because there are factors specifically related to immigration that may increase the risk for common mental disorders, the present study aimed to examine participants' levels of depression and loneliness and analyze the effect of the intervention on depression and loneliness. METHODS The MAKASI study was designed as a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial. Study participants were recruited through an outreach program led by a nongovernmental organization and randomly assigned to two clusters, with an intervention delay of 3 months between them. Participants were assessed for 6 months after inclusion and the effect of the intervention on depression and loneliness was assessed using generalized linear mixed models. The study was conducted from 2018 to 2021 and took in consideration whether being interviewed during one of the Covid-19 confinement had an effect on the results. RESULTS Between 2018 and 2021 a total of 821 subjects participated in the Makasi study. High levels of depression and loneliness were found in the study population. We found no effect of the intervention on depression [95% CI 0.77 to 2.40]. Similarly, no effect of the intervention was found on loneliness [95% CI 0.87 to 2.54]. CONCLUSIONS The intervention tested did not appear to improve the level of depression and loneliness among participants. However, the high prevalence of mental and emotional problems in the study population suggests a public health crisis among immigrants in the greater Paris area. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04468724 (July 13, 2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Gonçalves Tasca
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie Et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Paris, France.
| | - Marwân-Al-Qays Bousmah
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, 75006, Paris, France
- CNRS, French Collaborative Institute On Migrations, Aubervilliers, France
- IRD, UMR LEDa-DIAL, PSL, Université Paris-Dauphine, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Karna Coulibaly
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, 75006, Paris, France
- CNRS, French Collaborative Institute On Migrations, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Anne Gosselin
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, 75006, Paris, France
- CNRS, French Collaborative Institute On Migrations, Aubervilliers, France
- Ined, National Institute for Demographic Studies, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Andrainolo Ravalihasy
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, 75006, Paris, France
- CNRS, French Collaborative Institute On Migrations, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Annabel Desgrées du Loû
- Université Paris Cité, IRD, Inserm, Ceped, 75006, Paris, France
- CNRS, French Collaborative Institute On Migrations, Aubervilliers, France
| | - Maria Melchior
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie Et de Santé Publique (IPLESP), Équipe de Recherche en Épidémiologie Sociale (ERES), Paris, France
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Wimer G, Larrea M, Streeter J, Hassan A, Angulo A, Armijos A, Bonz A, Tol WA, Greene MC. Accessibility and Perceived Impact of a Group Psychosocial Intervention for Women in Ecuador: A Comparative Analysis by Migration Status. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:380. [PMID: 38673293 PMCID: PMC11049989 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing guidance promoting the provision of mental health and psychosocial support programs to both migrant and host community members in humanitarian settings. However, there is a lack of information on the respective experiences and benefits for migrant and host community members who are participating in mental health and psychosocial support programming. We evaluated a community-based psychosocial program for migrant and host community women, Entre Nosotras, which was implemented with an international non-governmental organization in Ecuador in 2021. Data on participant characteristics and psychosocial wellbeing were collected via pre/post surveys with 143 participants, and qualitative interviews were conducted with a subset (n = 61) of participants. All quantitative analyses were conducted in STATA, and qualitative analysis was done in NVivo. Attendance was higher for host community members. Specifically, 71.4% of host community members attended 4-5 sessions, whereas only 37.4% of migrants attended 4-5 sessions (p = 0.004). Qualitative analysis shows that the intervention was less accessible for migrants due to a variety of structural barriers. However, this analysis also demonstrated that both groups of women felt a greater sense of social connectedness after participating in the program and expressed gratitude for the bonds they formed with other women. Some migrant women described negative experiences with the host community because they felt as though they could not confide in host community women and speak freely in front of them. These results underscore how the migratory context influences the implementation of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) programs. As humanitarian guidelines continue to emphasize the integration of host community members and displaced persons, it is critical to account for how the same intervention may impact these populations differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Wimer
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | | | | | - Amir Hassan
- Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
| | | | - Andrea Armijos
- HIAS, Silver Spring, MD 62471, USA; (A.A.); (A.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Annie Bonz
- HIAS, Silver Spring, MD 62471, USA; (A.A.); (A.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Wietse A. Tol
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, 1172 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - M. Claire Greene
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA;
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Surkan PJ, Rayes D, Bertuzzi L, Figueiredo N, Melchior M, Tortelli A. A qualitative evaluation of the use of Problem Management Plus (PM+) among Arabic-speaking migrants with psychological distress in France - The APEX study. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2325243. [PMID: 38501438 PMCID: PMC10953778 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2024.2325243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACTBackground: Feasibility studies with non-French speaking migrants in France are needed to inform appropriate adaptation of psychosocial intervention procedures.Objective: To test the WHO Problem Management Plus (PM+) intervention protocol for Arabic-speaking migrants in the Paris metropolitan region.Methods: Between 2019 and 2021 we recruited participants from three accommodation centres receiving asylum seekers or migrants experiencing social and economic difficulties. Participants experiencing psychological distress underwent five PM + sessions with trained helpers. Feasibility was evaluated through 15 interviews with 8 participants, 4 helpers, and 3 study supervisors. Interview topics covered PM + implementation in general and for each component. We also sought to understand problems with delivery and gathered suggestions for improvement. Data were analysed thematically using a deductive approach.Results: We found implementation of PM + to be feasible, with predominantly positive reactions from participants, helpers and study staff. All intervention components were considered beneficial, with breathing exercises considered easy to implement and often sustained. Selection of problems and strategies to address them were described as challenging to execute. Psychosocial support from and rapport with helpers and the use of the native language were considered key strengths of the programme. However, we observed the need for complementary or higher intensity psychological support in some cases. Findings also highlighted the importance of addressing distress among non-specialist helpers delivering PM + . Finally, local guidance to social resources were suggested to be added in the protocol.Conclusion: PM + was well-liked and feasible, with cultural adjustments and increased access to community resources for migrants needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. J. Surkan
- Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Department of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institut d’Etudes Avancées de Paris, Paris, France
| | - D. Rayes
- Social and Behavioral Interventions Program, Department of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - L. Bertuzzi
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique: IPLESP, Paris, France
| | - N. Figueiredo
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique: IPLESP, Paris, France
| | - M. Melchior
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique: IPLESP, Paris, France
| | - A. Tortelli
- INSERM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d’Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique: IPLESP, Paris, France
- GHU Paris, Psychiatrie & Neurosciences – Pôle Psychiatrie Précarité, Paris, France
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Cadorin C, Purgato M, Turrini G, Prina E, Cabral Ferreira M, Cristofalo D, Bartucz MB, Witteveen AB, Sijbrandij M, Papola D, Barbui C. Mapping the evidence on psychosocial interventions for migrant populations: Descriptive analysis of a living database of randomized studies. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2024; 11:e35. [PMID: 38572262 PMCID: PMC10988138 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Migrant mental health is a pressing public health issue with wide-ranging implications. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted in this population to assess the effects of psychosocial interventions. However, the available evidence is characterized by controversy and fragmentation, with studies focusing on different migrant populations, interventions, outcomes, delivery modalities and settings. Aiming to promote systematic reviews of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in different migrant groups, we have developed a living database of existing RCTs. The development of the database provides an opportunity to map the existing RCT evidence in this population. A total of 135 studies involving 24,859 participants were included in the living database. The distribution of studies by year of publication aligns with the increasing global migrant population in recent years. Most studies focus primarily on adult participants, with a limited representation of children and adolescents, and a prevalence of female participants, which is consistent with epidemiological data, except for older adults, who are underrepresented in research. Studies predominantly focus on refugees and asylum seekers, likely due to their elevated risk of mental health issues, despite the substantial presence of economic migrants worldwide. While studies mainly involve migrants from the Middle East and East Asia, epidemiological data suggest a broader geographic representation, with migrants coming from Eastern Europe, Latin America and South Asia. The present descriptive analysis of RCTs on mental health and psychosocial interventions for migrant populations provides valuable insights into the existing research landscape. It should be used to inform future research efforts, ensuring that studies are more representative of the global migrant population and more responsive to the mental health needs of migrants in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Cadorin
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Turrini
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Prina
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Madalena Cabral Ferreira
- Public Health Unit of the Primary Care Cluster of Famalicão, Northern Region Health Administration, Famalicão, Portugal
| | - Doriana Cristofalo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Monica B. Bartucz
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anke B. Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Davide Papola
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Greene MC, Wimer G, Larrea M, Mejia Jimenez I, Armijos A, Angulo A, Guevara ME, Vega C, Heard EW, Demis L, Benavides L, Corrales C, de la Cruz A, Lopez MJ, Moyano A, Murcia A, Noboa MJ, Rodriguez A, Solis J, Vergara D, Andersen LS, Cristobal M, Wainberg M, Bonz AG, Tol W. Strategies to improve the implementation and effectiveness of community-based psychosocial support interventions for displaced, migrant and host community women in Latin America. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2024; 11:e32. [PMID: 38572247 PMCID: PMC10988141 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
As evidence supporting the effectiveness of mental health and psychosocial interventions grows, more research is needed to understand optimal strategies for improving their implementation in diverse contexts. We conducted a qualitative process evaluation of a multicomponent psychosocial intervention intended to promote well-being among refugee, migrant and host community women in three diverse contexts in Ecuador and Panamá. The objective of this study is to describe the relationships among implementation determinants, strategies and outcomes of this community-based psychosocial intervention. The five implementation strategies used in this study included stakeholder engagement, promoting intervention adaptability, group and community-based delivery format, task sharing and providing incentives. We identified 10 adaptations to the intervention and its implementation, most of which were made during pre-implementation. Participants (n = 77) and facilitators (n = 30) who completed qualitative interviews reported that these strategies largely improved the implementation of the intervention across key outcomes and aligned with the study's intervention and implementation theory of change models. Participants and facilitators also proposed additional strategies for improving reach, implementation and maintenance of this community-based psychosocial intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Claire Greene
- Program on Forced Migration and Health, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabrielle Wimer
- Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Larrea
- Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ingrid Mejia Jimenez
- Program on Forced Migration and Health, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Carolina Vega
- HIAS Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emily W. Heard
- Program on Forced Migration and Health, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lina Demis
- Program on Forced Migration and Health, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lena S. Andersen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Milton Wainberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons/New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Wietse Tol
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Athena Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Verhaak L, ter Heide JJ. Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology. Case Rep Psychiatry 2024; 2024:8552659. [PMID: 38434423 PMCID: PMC10904674 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8552659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrate and advocate for the use of GST in refugee patients with treatment-resistant PTSD and comorbid personality pathology, a case report is presented. Presentation. The case concerned the treatment of an East African female refugee who survived sexual and physical violence and loss as a child, as the hostage of a rebel army, and as a victim of human trafficking. She was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Trauma-focused therapy was hampered by insufficient treatment attendance due to current stress factors and early destructive coping strategies. One year of GST enabled the patient to overcome treatment-undermining patterns and benefit from subsequent trauma-focused therapy. Conclusion This case suggests that GST may have the potential to improve treatment adherence and the effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment in complex refugee patients. Clinical impressions need to be confirmed in a study that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of GST in refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and personality pathology.
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Höhne E, Böge K, Karnouk C, Tschorn M, Banaschewski T, Hoell A, Sukale T, Plener P, Schneider F, Padberg F, Hasan A, Rapp MA, Bajbouj M, Kamp-Becker I. Culturally sensitive stepped care for adolescent refugees: efficacy and cost-utility of a multicentric randomized controlled trial. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 33:581-593. [PMID: 36922435 PMCID: PMC10869413 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02179-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Adolescent refugees and asylum seekers (ARAS) are highly vulnerable to mental health problems. Stepped care models (SCM) and culturally sensitive therapies offer promising treatment approaches to effectively provide necessary medical and psychological support. To our knowledge, we were the first to investigate whether a culturally sensitive SCM will reduce symptoms of depression and PTSD in ARAS more effectively and efficiently than treatment as usual (TAU). We conducted a multicentric, randomized, controlled and rater-blinded trial across Germany with ARAS between the ages of 14 to 21 years. Participants (N = 158) were stratified by their level of depressive symptom severity and then equally randomized to either SCM or TAU. Depending on their severity level, SCM participants were allocated to tailored interventions. Symptom changes were assessed for depression (PHQ) and PTSD (CATS) at four time points, with the primary end point at post-intervention after 12 weeks. Based on an intention-to-treat sample, we used a linear mixed model approach for the main statistical analyses. Further evaluations included cost-utility analyses, sensitivity analyses, follow-up-analyses, response and remission rates and subgroup analysis. We found a significant reduction of PHQ (d = 0.52) and CATS (d = 0.27) scores in both groups. However, there was no significant difference between SCM and TAU. Cost-utility analyses indicated that SCM generated greater cost-utility when measured as quality-adjusted life years compared to TAU. Subgroup analysis revealed different effects for the SCM interventions depending on the outcome measure. Although culturally sensitive, SCMs did not prove to be more effective in symptom change and represent a more cost-effective treatment alternative for mentally burdened ARAS. Our research contributes to the optimization of clinical productivity and the improvement of therapeutic care for ARAS. Disorder-specific interventions should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Höhne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Clinic, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Kerem Böge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carine Karnouk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mira Tschorn
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Hoell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Thorsten Sukale
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Paul Plener
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Schneider
- University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical School University of Duesseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Frank Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University of Augsburg, BKH Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Michael A Rapp
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Inge Kamp-Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Medical Clinic, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Abi Ramia J, Abi Hana R, Noun P, Cuijpers P, Carswell K, van't Hof E, Heim E, Zoghbi E, Sijbrandij M, El Chammay R. Feasibility and uptake of a digital mental health intervention for depression among Lebanese and Syrian displaced people in Lebanon: a qualitative study. Front Public Health 2024; 11:1293187. [PMID: 38317685 PMCID: PMC10840138 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1293187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Digital interventions are increasingly regarded as a potential solution for the inaccessibility of mental health treatment across low-and-middle-income settings, especially for common mental disorders. Step-by-Step (SbS) is a digital, guided self-help intervention for depression found effective in two Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) in Lebanon. For research implementation and further scale-up, this paper reports the results of a qualitative evaluation of SbS among the Lebanese and others and displaced Syrians in Lebanon. Methods Thirty-four Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were executed with participants of the RCTs, SbS staff members, and external stakeholders. Questions garnered feedback about the feasibility, acceptability, enabling factors, and barriers to adhering to the research, implementation, and the SbS intervention. A thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo, and key themes, topics, and recommendations, on research methods and the intervention itself, were generated and reported. Results Results showed a high level of acceptability of SbS among Lebanese and Syrians and identified sub-groups for whom acceptance or use might be lower, such as older adults and people with limited access to the internet or smartphones. Furthermore, interviews identified the main enabling factors and barriers to adherence related to the research design, content, and delivery approach. Barriers related to feasibility included lengthy assessments as part of the RCTs, and mistrust related to delays in study compensations. Other common challenges were forgetting login credentials, poor internet connection, being busy and competing needs. Enabling factors and best practices included motivating participants to use the intervention through the weekly support provided by helpers, setting an oral contract for commitment, and dividing the compensations into several installments as part of the RCTs. Recommendations regarding sustainability were given. Discussion The findings show that overall, SbS is feasible, acceptable, and much needed in Lebanon among the Lebanese and Syrians. This assessment identifies reasons for low adherence to the research and the intervention and presents improvement solutions. Recommendations generated in this paper inform the upscale of SbS and the planning, design, and implementation of future digital interventions in research and service provision settings in the mental health field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinane Abi Ramia
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Racha Abi Hana
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Philip Noun
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- International Institute for Psychotherapy, Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Kenneth Carswell
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Edith van't Hof
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eva Heim
- Institute of Psychology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Edwina Zoghbi
- Country Office for Lebanon, World Health Organization, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro and Developmental Psychology, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rabih El Chammay
- National Mental Health Programme, Ministry of Public Health of Lebanon, Beirut, Lebanon
- Psychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
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17
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Hannemose SZ, Laugesen Attardo H, Vindbjerg E, Carlsson J. Exploring expectations of neurofeedback treatment among trauma-affected refugees. Nord J Psychiatry 2024; 78:46-53. [PMID: 37755151 DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2023.2261905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of Neurofeedback (NF) to assist individuals in learning to regulate their brain wave activity has shown promising results in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD). However, few studies have focused on the patients' understandings of NF and even fewer explore the perspective of refugees. PURPOSE To evaluate NF treatment for trauma-affected refugees by focusing on their expectations and understanding of NF. METHODS This qualitative study was a part of a mixed method study carried out at an outpatient mental health centre in Denmark, offering 34 trauma-affected refugees 12 sessions of NF. In this qualitative study, a subsample of seven participants was interviewed. Using in-depth semi-structured interviews, the participants' thoughts and expectations prior to participating in NF treatment were examined. The analysis was carried out in four steps, using a hermeneutic and phenomenological approach. RESULTS The analysis resulted in two themes: (1) Rationale and working mechanisms of NF and (2) Motivators for participating in the study. CONCLUSION The findings show that NF treatment for trauma affected refugees was challenged by difficulties in communicating the message about the NF equipment capabilities as well as the expected treatment outcome. These challenges included e.g. health professionals' ability to explain and the participants' cultural frame of reference. This is consistent with previous research, showing that compared to the native population, the dissemination of health information to refugees is more difficult and comprehensive. Further studies on how to ensure mutual understanding of the content of NF and expected treatment outcome are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05055037. Retrospectively registered on the 06/07-2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Zeuthen Hannemose
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Center Ballerup, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henriette Laugesen Attardo
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Center Ballerup, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Vindbjerg
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Center Ballerup, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Center Ballerup, Copenhagen University Hospital - Mental Health Services CPH, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Dept of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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18
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Miller KE, Rasmussen A, Jordans MJD. Strategies to improve the quality and usefulness of mental health trials in humanitarian settings. Lancet Psychiatry 2023; 10:974-980. [PMID: 37879349 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
A striking rise in the number of people affected by humanitarian crises has led to an increase in mental health and psychosocial support interventions to reduce the psychological effects of such crises. In a parallel trend, researchers have brought increased methodological rigour to their evaluation of these interventions. However, several methodological issues still constrain the quality and real-world relevance of the existing evidence base. We examine five core challenges in randomised controlled trials of mental health and psychosocial support interventions with conflict-affected and disaster-affected populations. These challenges are: translating intervention effects into metrics of real-world significance; giving adequate consideration to the selection and monitoring of control conditions; following rigorous processes to ensure outcome measures are culturally appropriate and psychometrically sound; ensuring and monitoring implementation variables, including fidelity, exposure, participant engagement, and the competence of implementation staff; and assessing mechanisms of change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth E Miller
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Andrew Rasmussen
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Mark J D Jordans
- Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Ho CH, Denton AH, Blackstone SR, Saif N, MacIntyre K, Ozkaynak M, Valdez RS, Hauck FR. Access to Healthcare Among US Adult Refugees: A Systematic Qualitative Review. J Immigr Minor Health 2023; 25:1426-1462. [PMID: 37009980 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01477-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023]
Abstract
Refugees encounter numerous healthcare access barriers in host countries, leading to lower utilization rates and poorer health outcomes. In the US, social inequities and fragmented health systems may exacerbate these disparities. Understanding these factors is necessary to ensure equitable care of refugee populations. A systematic literature review of qualitative studies on US adult refugee healthcare access from January 2000 to June 2021 was performed in accordance with PRISMA. Studies were analyzed deductively and then inductively to incorporate previous findings in other resettlement countries and emergence of US-specific themes. 64 articles representing 16+ countries of origin emerged from the final analysis, yielding nine interrelated themes related to health literacy, cost of services, cultural beliefs, and social supports, among others. The main challenges to refugees' healthcare access emerge from the interactions of care fragmentation with adverse social determinants. Given diverse barriers, integrated care models are recommended in treating refugee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi H Ho
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Andrea H Denton
- Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Sarah R Blackstone
- Office of Institutional Research, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
| | - Nadia Saif
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kara MacIntyre
- Office of Institutional Research, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA
| | - Mustafa Ozkaynak
- College of Nursing, University of Colorado-Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rupa S Valdez
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Department of Engineering Systems and Environment, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fern R Hauck
- Department of Family Medicine, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Virginia, PO Box 800729, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0729, USA.
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Bogatzki L, Miredin J, Millet S, Lipinski L, Molle M, Rockstroh B, Mier D, Odenwald M. [The Konstanz model project for refugees with mental disorders : Coordinated psychotherapeutic treatment involving trained peer support (KOBEG)]. DER NERVENARZT 2023; 94:1026-1033. [PMID: 37676294 PMCID: PMC10620279 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-023-01524-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Refugees with mental disorders are confronted with access barriers to the psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care system. In order to counter these barriers, a model project to support the health care and integration of mentally distressed refugees was established in the district of Konstanz (coordinated psychotherapeutic treatment involving trained peer support; KOBEG) and evaluated in an initial 3‑year model phase. A coordination center refers the patients to local certified psychotherapists. Language and culturally sensitive trained mentors (peers) support and accompany the refugees during the therapy. The utilization of the refered therapy and the experiences of the participating therapists serve as indicators for the effectiveness of the peer-supported therapy referral. The effectiveness of therapeutic measures and support by trained peers was evaluated on the basis of the psychological symptom burden (symptom checklist 27) and functional impairment (work and social adjustment scale) before and after an average of 10 months of project participation. The study focuses on the refugees (use of services and mental distress) and the psychotherapists (reported experiences). Initial results showed an above-average stress level among the refugees at the time of the initial interview, a high participation rate and a low drop-out rate. The follow-up survey showed significant improvements in terms of psychological symptom burden as well as functional impairments. The (qualitative) survey among psychotherapists underlines the effectiveness of KOBEG, 93% of the therapists intend to continue working with refugees within the framework of the project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Bogatzki
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland.
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland.
| | - Julia Miredin
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
| | | | | | | | - Brigitte Rockstroh
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
| | - Daniela Mier
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
| | - Michael Odenwald
- Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Deutschland
- vivo international e. V., Konstanz, Deutschland
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Jordans MJD, Brown FL, Kane J, Taha K, Steen F, Ali R, Elias J, Meksassi B, Aoun M, Greene CM, Malik A, Akhtar A, van Ommeren M, Sijbrandij M, Bryant R. Evaluation of the Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE) intervention in Lebanon: A randomized controlled trial. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 127:152424. [PMID: 37748283 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a need for scalable evidence-based psychological interventions for young adolescents experiencing high levels of psychological distress in humanitarian settings and low- and middle-income countries. Poor mental health during adolescence presents a serious public health concern as it is a known predictor of persistent mental disorders in adulthood. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a new group-based intervention developed by the World Health Organization (Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions; EASE), implemented by non-specialists, to reduce young adolescents' psychological distress among mostly Syrian refugees in Lebanon. METHODS We conducted a two-arm, single-blind, individually randomized group treatment trial. Adolescents aged 10 to 14 years who screened positive for psychological distress using the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) were randomly allocated to EASE or enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) (1:1.6). ETAU consisted of a single scripted psycho-education home-visit session with the adolescent and their caregivers. EASE consists of seven group sessions with adolescents and three sessions with caregivers. The primary outcome was adolescent-reported psychological distress as measured with the PSC (internalizing, externalizing, and attentional symptoms). Secondary outcomes included depression, posttraumatic stress, well-being, functioning, and caregivers' parenting and distress. All outcomes were assessed at baseline, endline, and 3 months (primary time point) and 12 months follow-up. RESULTS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other adversities in Lebanon at the time of this research, the study was prematurely terminated, resulting in an under-powered trial sample (n = 198 enrolled compared to n = 445 targeted). We screened 604 children for eligibility. The 198 enrolled adolescents were assigned to EASE (n = 80) and ETAU (n = 118), with retention rates between 76.1 and 88.4% across all timepoints. Intent-to-treat analyses demonstrated no between-group differences on any of the outcome measures between the EASE and ETAU. We did observe a significant improvement on the primary outcome equally in the EASE and ETAU groups (-0.90, 95% CI: -3.6, 1.8; p = .52), - a trend that was sustained at three months follow-up. Sub-group analyses, for those with higher depression symptoms at baseline, showed ETAU outperformed EASE on reducing depression symptoms (difference in mean change = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.1, 5.3; p = .04; d = 0.59) and internalizing problems (difference in mean change 1.0, 95% CI: 0.08, 1.9; p = .03; d = 0.56) . CONCLUSION No conclusions can be drawn about the comparative effectiveness of the intervention given that the sample was underpowered as a result of early termination. Both EASE and single session psycho-education home visits resulted in meaningful improvements in reducing psychological distress. We did not identify any indications in the data suggesting that EASE was more effective than a single session family intervention in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises in Lebanon. Fully powered research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of EASE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J D Jordans
- War Child, Research and Development Department, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Felicity L Brown
- War Child, Research and Development Department, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeremy Kane
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University, New York, USA.
| | - Karine Taha
- War Child, Lebanon Country Office, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Frederik Steen
- War Child, Research and Development Department, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Rayane Ali
- War Child, Lebanon Country Office, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Joseph Elias
- War Child, Lebanon Country Office, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | | | - May Aoun
- War Child, Lebanon Country Office, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Claire M Greene
- Program on Forced Migration and Health, Heilbrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, USA.
| | | | - Aemal Akhtar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | | | - Marit Sijbrandij
- VU University, Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Richard Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Australia.
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Tay AK, Mohsin M, Foo CYS, Rees S, Silove D. Long-term efficacy of brief psychological treatments for common mental disorders in Myanmar refugees in Malaysia: 12-month follow-up of a randomized, active-controlled trial of integrative adapt therapy v. cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychol Med 2023; 53:6055-6067. [PMID: 36330832 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term efficacy of brief psychotherapies for refugees in low-resource settings is insufficiently understood. Integrative adapt therapy (IAT) is a scalable treatment addressing refugee-specific psychosocial challenges. METHODS We report 12-month post-treatment data from a single-blind, active-controlled trial (October 2017-August 2019) where 327 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia were assigned to either six sessions of IAT (n = 164) or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) (n = 163). Primary outcomes were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD) symptom scores at treatment end and 12-month post-treatment. Secondary outcome was functional impairment. RESULTS 282 (86.2%) participants were retained at 12-month follow-up. For both groups, large treatment effects for common mental disorders (CMD) symptoms were maintained at 12-month post-treatment compared to baseline (d = 0.75-1.13). Although participants in IAT had greater symptom reductions and larger effect sizes than CBT participants for all CMDs at treatment end, there were no significant differences between treatment arms at 12-month post-treatment for PTSD [mean difference: -0.9, 95% CI (-2.5 to 0.6), p = 0.25], depression [mean difference: 0.1, 95% CI (-0.6 to 0.7), p = 0.89), anxiety [mean difference: -0.4, 95% CI (-1.4 to 0.6), p = 0.46], and PCBD [mean difference: -0.6, 95% CI (-3.1 to 1.9), p = 0.65]. CBT participants showed greater improvement in functioning than IAT participants at 12-month post-treatment [mean difference: -2.5, 95% CI (-4.7 to -0.3], p = 0.03]. No adverse effects were recorded for either therapy. CONCLUSIONS Both IAT and CBT showed sustained treatment gains for CMD symptoms amongst refugees over the 12-month period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mohammed Mohsin
- Mental Health Research Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cheryl Yunn Shee Foo
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Rees
- The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Derrick Silove
- The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Dowllah IM, Melville C. Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees and asylum seekers resettled in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Health Psychol 2023:13591053231199254. [PMID: 37728258 DOI: 10.1177/13591053231199254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Refugees and asylum seekers are more prone to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than the general population. This systematic review aims to determine which psychosocial interventions effectively treat PTSD among refugees and asylum seekers in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Relevant papers were retrieved from the bibliographic databases. PTSD symptoms post-intervention was the primary outcome. Ten studies were selected with 1981 participants. In meta-analyses of Randomised control trials (RCTs), psychosocial interventions for PTSD (SMD -0.60, 95% CI -0.96 to -0.23; I2 = 91%; 95% CI 75-100; nine studies, 1789 participants) were shown to be clinically effective. Also, in case of depression (SMD -0.59, 95% CI -0.95 to -0.22; I2 = 84%; 95% CI 50-90; seven studies, 1248 participants). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) had the greatest effect size among psychosocial therapies for this demographic. However, the number of studies is small, and their methodological rigour is limited, thus future study should concentrate on performing more rigorous trials.
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Blignault I, Saab H, Youssef H, Baddah H, Giourgas K, Woodland L. "It Is Definitely a Good Program for Everyone from Every Community": A Qualitative Study of Community Partner Perspectives on the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Mindfulness Program. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6608. [PMID: 37623191 PMCID: PMC10454450 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20166608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Meeting the health needs of migrant and refugee communities is crucial to successful settlement and integration. These communities are often under-served by mental health services. Previous research has demonstrated the effectiveness of a group mindfulness-based intervention tailored for Arabic and Bangla speakers living in Sydney, Australia. This study aimed to explore community partner perspectives on the program's impact, contributing factors and sustainability, and to elicit suggestions for future development. Data were collected via semi-structured telephone interviews with a purposively selected sample of 16 informants. Thematic analysis was conducted using the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique. Community partners welcomed the emphasis on promoting wellbeing and reported that the community-based in-language intervention, in both face-to-face and online formats, overcame many of the barriers to timely mental health care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, with a beneficial impact on group participants, program providers, partner organisations and the broader community. Positive outcomes led to stronger community engagement and demand for more programs. For group mental health programs, both trust and safety are necessary. Relationships must be nurtured, diversity within CALD communities recognised, and projects adequately resourced to ensure partner organisations are not overburdened.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Blignault
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Hend Saab
- Multicultural Health Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; (H.S.); (H.B.); (K.G.)
| | - Hanan Youssef
- Multicultural Health Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; (H.S.); (H.B.); (K.G.)
| | - Heba Baddah
- Multicultural Health Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; (H.S.); (H.B.); (K.G.)
| | - Klara Giourgas
- Multicultural Health Team, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia; (H.S.); (H.B.); (K.G.)
| | - Lisa Woodland
- Health Equity, Promotion and Prevention Service, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia;
- Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Servais L, Huberland V, Richelle L. Misuse of Pregabalin: a qualitative study from a patient's perspective. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1339. [PMID: 37438829 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16051-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The misuse of Pregabalin has been the subject of growing concern for several years. The effects sought are multiple and it is rarely taken as a single drug. It is most frequently used together with opioids, which may increase the risk of fatal overdose. In response to this emerging phenomenon, we seek to better understand the situation of misuse in Belgium and identify the people involved in it. METHODOLOGY A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 20 participants who misuse Pregabalin was conducted throughout the French-speaking region of Belgium between August 2021 and January 2022. Recruitment mostly took place in addictions centers, shelters for migrants and homeless persons and primary care centers. We then conducted a thematic analysis with the help of Nvivo software. RESULTS A profile emerged, of young male users, immigrants, mainly first generation immigrants coming from North Africa. They had in common a challenging or even traumatic migration pathway and precarious living conditions in Belgian territory. Most of them had no stable income. They saw Pregabalin as enabling them to cope with their daily situation. All had psychiatric and/or somatic comorbidities for which they had apparently not recieved adequate medical care. This seemed to lead many of them to use Pregabalin as self-medication, for anxiety-depressive disorders and chronic pain, and it was sometimes initiated in their home country. Pregabalin was never used alone. CONCLUSION This study has highlighted a rare and insufficient documented profile of Pregabalin misuse: self-medication among a group of first generation immigrants, most of whom have no previous history of opioid-related disorders. Measures should be taken to improve access to health and social care for this population, considering all their biopsychosocial vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise Servais
- Unité de Recherche en Soins Primaires ULB, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, CP 612 1070, Belgium.
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, CP 612 1070, Belgium.
| | - Vincent Huberland
- Unité de Recherche en Soins Primaires ULB, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, CP 612 1070, Belgium
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, CP 612 1070, Belgium
| | - Lou Richelle
- Unité de Recherche en Soins Primaires ULB, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, CP 612 1070, Belgium
- Département de Médecine Générale, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, Brussels, CP 612 1070, Belgium
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Silva P, Pereira H. Promoting Psychosocial Well-Being and Empowerment of Immigrant Women: A Systematic Review of Interventions. Behav Sci (Basel) 2023; 13:579. [PMID: 37504026 PMCID: PMC10376121 DOI: 10.3390/bs13070579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This systematic review (SLR), based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, aims to present a current overview of interventions aimed at promoting the psychosocial well-being and/or empowerment (PWE) of immigrant women in order to guide future projects. Data collection was performed in the SCOPUS and Web of Science databases, with studies published between 2012 and 20 March 2023 in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were based on the PICO guidelines: (P) immigrant women, (I) interventions to improve PWE, (C) comparison between the initial and final phases, and (O) evaluated results for PWE. Risk of bias was assessed, and most of the studies met more than 80% of the JBI bias criteria and had moderate quality on GRADE. Thirteen studies with 585 participants were included, mostly non-randomized, non-equivalent, and with an experimental-control group design. The main components of interventions were health education/psychoeducation, counseling, cognitive restructuring, and expressive therapies. A descriptive synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data was made to evaluate the results of the interventions in PWE. In the experimental studies, results assessed improvements mainly in mood and depression levels, and stress reduction. Empowerment components were less covered. Experimental groups performed better in almost all variables in the comparison with control groups. The strongest interventions were psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring techniques. The main limitations of the studies were the lack of quality of several studies, sample size and representativeness, language, and the possibility of response bias. Even taking this into account, this article makes an original contribution by advocating for evidence-based practice and offering significant implications for health professionals, policy makers, and researchers that work with the integrative health of immigrant women. This SLR is registered in PROPESRO Registration: CRD42023399683. PS is a research fellow of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) of Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Silva
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
- Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Henrique Pereira
- Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Social and Human Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Pólo IV, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
- Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Karyotaki E, Sijbrandij M, Purgato M, Acarturk C, Lakin D, Bailey D, Peckham E, Uygun E, Tedeschi F, Wancata J, Augustinavicius J, Carswell K, Välimäki M, van Ommeren M, Koesters M, Popa M, Leku MR, Anttila M, Churchill R, White RG, Al-Hashimi S, Lantta T, Au T, Klein T, Tol WA, Cuijpers P, Barbui C. Self-Help Plus for refugees and asylum seekers: an individual participant data meta-analysis. BMJ MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 26:e300672. [PMID: 37524517 PMCID: PMC10391800 DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2023-300672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
QUESTION Refugees and asylum seekers are at high risk of mental disorders due to various stressors before, during and after forceful displacement. The WHO Self-Help Plus (SH+) intervention was developed to manage psychological distress and a broad range of mental health symptoms in vulnerable populations. This study aimed to examine the effects and moderators of SH+ compared with Enhanced Care as Usual (ECAU) in reducing depressive symptoms among refugees and asylum seekers. STUDY SELECTION AND ANALYSIS Three randomised trials were identified with 1795 individual participant data (IPD). We performed an IPD meta-analysis to estimate the effects of SH+, primarily on depressive symptoms and second on post-traumatic stress, well-being, self-identified problems and functioning. Effects were also estimated at 5-6 months postrandomisation (midterm). FINDINGS There was no evidence of a difference between SH+ and ECAU+ in reducing depressive symptoms at postintervention. However, SH+ had significantly larger effects among participants who were not employed (β=1.60, 95% CI 0.20 to 3.00) and had lower mental well-being levels (β=0.02, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.05). At midterm, SH+ was significantly more effective than ECAU in improving depressive symptoms (β=-1.13, 95% CI -1.99 to -0.26), self-identified problems (β=-1.56, 95% CI -2.54 to -0.59) and well-being (β=6.22, 95% CI 1.60 to 10.90). CONCLUSIONS Although SH+ did not differ significantly from ECAU in reducing symptoms of depression at postintervention, it did present benefits for particularly vulnerable participants (ie, unemployed and with lower mental well-being levels), and benefits were also evident at midterm follow-up. These results are promising for the use of SH+ in the management of depressive symptoms and improvement of well-being and self-identified problems among refugees and asylum seekers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Karyotaki
- Department of Clinical, Neuro-, and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro-, and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Ceren Acarturk
- Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Daniel Lakin
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Della Bailey
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Emily Peckham
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Ersin Uygun
- Department of Trauma and Disasters, Bilge University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Johannes Wancata
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jura Augustinavicius
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kenneth Carswell
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maritta Välimäki
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Xiangya School of Nursing, The Xiangya Evidence-Based Practice and Healthcare Innovation, Central South University, Chang, People's Republic of China
| | - Mark van Ommeren
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Mariana Popa
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | | | - Minna Anttila
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Rachel Churchill
- Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK
| | - Ross G White
- School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Sarah Al-Hashimi
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tella Lantta
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Teresa Au
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Use, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Klein
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Wietse A Tol
- Xiangya School of Nursing, The Xiangya Evidence-Based Practice and Healthcare Innovation, Central South University, Chang, People's Republic of China
| | - Pim Cuijpers
- Department of Clinical, Neuro-, and Developmental Psychology and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Jiang W, Shi G, Li Y, Lu C, Guo L, Zhang W. Dynamic contributions of socioeconomic status to mental health with the resettlement process among refugees. Psychiatry Res 2023; 324:115197. [PMID: 37058795 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Socioeconomic status (SES) is shown to be associated with refugees' mental health, but few studies have considered that these associations may vary over time. This study aimed to examine the dynamic contributions of SES to refugees' mental health during resettlement. We used five waves of data from a cohort study in Australia; 2399 refugees completed the interview in Wave 1, and the remaining waves had 2009, 1894, 1929, and 1881 participants, respectively. SES, high risk of severe mental illness (HR-SMI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed in each wave. Weighted multilevel regression models were performed, and analyses were stratified by sex. For both sexes, financial hardships were consistently positively associated with HR-SMI and PTSD across all five waves. However, time or sex differences were more pronounced for associations between other SES factors and mental health. For males, there were negative associations of current paid jobs with HR-SMI and PTSD in Waves 3-5. For females, the current paid job was negatively associated with HR-SMI only in Wave 5. Our findings highlight the dynamic associations and sex differences between SES and refugees' mental health. We recommend interventions focusing on increasing employment opportunities, particularly for male refugees in the later resettlement stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqing Jiang
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Rd 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Guangduoji Shi
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Rd 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Yanzhi Li
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Rd 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Ciyong Lu
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Rd 2, Guangzhou 510080, China
| | - Lan Guo
- Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan Rd 2, Guangzhou 510080, China.
| | - Weihong Zhang
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium
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Cassidy GP, McQuaid J, Heatherington L, Su CJ. Asylee perspectives on psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:373-384. [PMID: 36882382 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Asylees (i.e., asylum seekers) have a higher prevalence of mental health concerns, particularly posttraumatic distress, than the general population due to both their exposure to traumatic experiences and prolonged uncertain status in a new country. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials with asylees have found that culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy (CA-CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and narrative exposure therapy (NET) are efficacious in treating trauma-related symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, treatment utilization remains low. Thus, it is imperative to determine what PTSD interventions are effective, credible, and acceptable for asylees. We employed structured virtual interviews with 40 U.S. asylees from diverse countries living with one or more symptoms of PTSD. Participants were asked about treatment engagement, perceived barriers to treatment, goals for psychotherapy, and perceptions of the effectiveness and difficulty of engaging in CA-CBT, EMDR, NET, and (non-exposure-based) interpersonal therapy (IPT) for PTSD. Participants perceived IPT to be significantly less difficult than all exposure-based treatments, with medium effect sizes, ds = 0.55-0.71. A qualitative analysis of asylees' comments provided valuable insights into how they think about these treatments. Ways in which these results can be considered when informing recommendations for improving interventions for asylees are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galen P Cassidy
- Department of Psychology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer McQuaid
- Department of Psychology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Asylum Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Chi Jiun Su
- Department of Psychology, Williams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA
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Kip A, Iseke LN, Papola D, Gastaldon C, Barbui C, Morina N. Efficacy of psychological interventions for PTSD in distinct populations - An evidence map of meta-analyses using the umbrella review methodology. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 100:102239. [PMID: 36529109 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We aimed at mapping the meta-analytic evidence base on the efficacy of psychological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in specific populations. We conducted a systematic search until January 2022 in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. We contrasted all eligible meta-analyses irrespective of overlapping datasets to present a comprehensive overview of the state of research. Reporting quality was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool and certainty of evidence was assessed using established umbrella review criteria. Nine meta-analyses with distinct adult populations (51 unique trials) and four with children and adolescents (24 unique trials) were included. Reporting quality of meta-analyses was heterogeneous with risk of bias assessment being rated lowest. The certainty of evidence on the efficacy of psychological interventions for adult populations was thoroughly weak because of small samples and large heterogeneity. In war- and conflict-affected youth, the certainty of evidence was suggestive. Our review highlights the need to improve quality of meta-analyses on treatment efficacy for PTSD. More importantly, however, the findings demonstrate the need for new large-scale trials on the efficacy of treatments for PTSD in distinct populations in order to increase certainty of evidence and to identify potential differences in treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlke Kip
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Linnéa N Iseke
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Davide Papola
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Gastaldon
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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Carpiniello B. The Mental Health Costs of Armed Conflicts-A Review of Systematic Reviews Conducted on Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and People Living in War Zones. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2840. [PMID: 36833537 PMCID: PMC9957523 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Armed conflicts produce a wide series of distressing consequences, including death, all of which impact negatively on the lives of survivors. This paper focuses specifically on the mental health consequences of war on adults and child/adolescent refugees or those living in war zones through a review of all systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses published from 2005 up until the current time. RESULTS Fifteen systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses conducted in adult populations, and seven relating to children and adolescents, were selected for the purpose of this review. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were two- to three-fold higher amongst people exposed to armed conflict compared to those who had not been exposed, with women and children being the most vulnerable to the outcome of armed conflicts. A series of war-related, migratory and post-migratory stressors contribute to short- and long-term mental health issues in the internally displaced, asylum seekers and refugees. CONCLUSION It should be a required social responsibility for all psychiatrists and psychiatric associations to commit to raising awareness amongst political decision-makers as to the mental health consequences caused by armed conflicts, as part of their duty of care for people experiencing the consequences of war.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Carpiniello
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari & Psychiatric Unit, University Hospital, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
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Nguyen AJ, Lasater ME, Lee C, Mallawaarachchi IV, Joshua K, Bassett L, Gelsdorf K. Psychosocial support interventions in the context of forced displacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Migr Health 2023; 7:100168. [PMID: 36816445 PMCID: PMC9932448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Forced displacement is associated with elevated risk for poor psychosocial wellbeing, yet there remains a lack of clarity around the effectiveness of commonly implemented psychosocial support interventions focused on preventing disorder and promoting wellbeing. This study aimed to synthesize the literature on evaluations of psychosocial support interventions for populations affected by forced displacement. Methods We searched for peer reviewed and gray literature in seven databases (PubMed, Embase, Global Health, CINAHL, SocIndex, PsychInfo, PILOTS), fifteen organizational websites, and via solicitation through multiple networks. Various study designs were included, with the criteria that they report an evaluation of a psychosocial intervention delivered to populations affected by forced displacement, and included quantitative or qualitative data on psychosocial outcomes. Records were screened independently by two reviewers at both title/abstract and full-text review; data was double-extracted and study quality assessed, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Meta-analyses for seven outcomes were conducted on a subset of 33 studies. Results We identified 162 reports. Over half (55%) used a single-group study design, with fewer using non-random (19%) or randomized (21%) comparisons. Study designs incorporating comparison conditions were less likely to report positive findings than single-group studies. In the meta-analyses, a moderately strong overall effect was found for psychosocial wellbeing (ES: -0.534, 95% CI: [-0.870, -0.197], p=.005); small effects on both internalizing (ES: -0.152, 95% CI: [-0.310, 0.005], p= .057) and externalizing (ES: -0.249, 95% CI: [-0.515, 0.016], p=.064) problems were promising but not conclusive. Subgroup analysis suggested differential impacts on internalizing problems for adults (improvement; ES: -0.289, 95% CI: [-0.435, -0.143], p=.001) and children (worsening; ES: 0.129, 95% CI: [.054, 0.204], p=.002). Other subgroup analyses showed little meaningful variation by context, population, or intervention characteristics. Conclusion Pragmatic, field-driven program evaluations are dominated by single-group designs with significant risk of bias. Findings from controlled studies are promising but highlight a need for more rigorous research to support causal inference, align outcomes with theories of change, improve measurement of more positive or wellbeing-focused outcomes, examine subgroup differences, and report potentially negative impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Nguyen
- School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, PO Box 400281, 417 Emmet St S., Charlottesville, VA 22904, United States,Humanitarian Collaborative, University of Virginia, 235 McCormick Rd, PO Box 400893, Charlottesville, VA 22904, United States,Corresponding author at: School of Education and Human Development, University of Virginia, PO Box 400281, 417 Emmet St S., Charlottesville, VA 22904, United States.
| | - Molly E. Lasater
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Catherine Lee
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - Indika V. Mallawaarachchi
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, United States
| | - Kate Joshua
- Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, University of Virginia, 1350 Jefferson Park Avenue, PO Box 800722, Charlottesville, VA 22908, United States
| | - Lucy Bassett
- Humanitarian Collaborative, University of Virginia, 235 McCormick Rd, PO Box 400893, Charlottesville, VA 22904, United States
| | - Kirsten Gelsdorf
- Humanitarian Collaborative, University of Virginia, 235 McCormick Rd, PO Box 400893, Charlottesville, VA 22904, United States
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Purgato M, Turrini G, Tedeschi F, Serra R, Tarsitani L, Compri B, Muriago G, Cadorin C, Ostuzzi G, Nicaise P, Lorant V, Sijbrandij M, Witteveen AB, Ayuso-Mateos JL, Mediavilla R, Haro JM, Felez-Nobrega M, Figueiredo N, Pollice G, McDaid D, Park AL, Kalisch R, Petri-Romão P, Underhill J, Bryant RA, Nosè M, Barbui C. Effectiveness of a stepped-care programme of WHO psychological interventions in migrant populations resettled in Italy: Study protocol for the RESPOND randomized controlled trial. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1100546. [PMID: 36761135 PMCID: PMC9905848 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1100546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Migrant populations, including workers, undocumented migrants, asylum seekers, refugees, internationally displaced persons, and other populations on the move, are exposed to a variety of stressors and potentially traumatic events before, during, and after the migration process. In recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has represented an additional stressor, especially for migrants on the move. As a consequence, migration may increase vulnerability of individuals toward a worsening of subjective wellbeing, quality of life, and mental health, which, in turn, may increase the risk of developing mental health conditions. Against this background, we designed a stepped-care programme consisting of two scalable psychological interventions developed by the World Health Organization and locally adapted for migrant populations. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this stepped-care programme will be assessed in terms of mental health outcomes, resilience, wellbeing, and costs to healthcare systems. Methods and analysis We present the study protocol for a pragmatic randomized study with a parallel-group design that will enroll participants with a migrant background and elevated level of psychological distress. Participants will be randomized to care as usual only or to care a usual plus a guided self-help stress management guide (Doing What Matters in Times of Stress, DWM) and a five-session cognitive behavioral intervention (Problem Management Plus, PM+). Participants will self-report all measures at baseline before random allocation, 2 weeks after DWM delivery, 1 week after PM+ delivery and 2 months after PM+ delivery. All participants will receive a single-session of a support intervention, namely Psychological First Aid. We will include 212 participants. An intention-to-treat analysis using linear mixed models will be conducted to explore the programme's effect on anxiety and depression symptoms, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-Anxiety and Depression Scale summary score 2 months after PM+ delivery. Secondary outcomes include post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, resilience, quality of life, resource utilization, cost, and cost-effectiveness. Discussion This study is the first randomized controlled trial that combines two World Health Organization psychological interventions tailored for migrant populations with an elevated level of psychological distress. The present study will make available DWM/PM+ packages adapted for remote delivery following a task-shifting approach, and will generate evidence to inform policy responses based on a more efficient use of resources for improving resilience, wellbeing and mental health. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT04993534.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Purgato
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Turrini
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federico Tedeschi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Serra
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tarsitani
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Compri
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Muriago
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Camilla Cadorin
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Ostuzzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Pablo Nicaise
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS) - UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Vincent Lorant
- Institute of Health and Society (IRSS) - UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anke B. Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, VU University, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - José Luis Ayuso-Mateos
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, La Princesa University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Princesa (IIS-Princesa), Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Mediavilla
- Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Felez-Nobrega
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natasha Figueiredo
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, ERES, Paris, France
| | - Giulia Pollice
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Institut Pierre Louis d'Epidémiologie et de Santé Publique, ERES, Paris, France
| | - David McDaid
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - A-La Park
- Care Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Raffael Kalisch
- Neuroimaging Center (NIC), Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | - Richard A. Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michela Nosè
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Corrado Barbui
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine, and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Smartphone-delivered mental health care interventions for refugees: A systematic review of the literature. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10:e6. [PMID: 36843879 PMCID: PMC9947632 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the United Nations, an estimated 26.6 million people worldwide were refugees in 2021. Experiences before, during, and after flight increase psychological distress and contribute to a high prevalence of mental disorders. The resulting high need for mental health care is generally not reflected in the actual mental health care provision for refugees. A possible strategy to close this gap might be to offer smartphone-delivered mental health care. This systematic review summarizes the current state of research on smartphone-delivered interventions for refugees, answering the following research questions: (1) Which smartphone-delivered interventions are available for refugees? (2) What do we know about their clinical (efficacy) and (3) nonclinical outcomes (e.g., feasibility, appropriateness, acceptance, and barriers)? (4) What are their dropout rates and dropout reasons? (5) To what extent do smartphone-delivered interventions consider data security? Relevant databases were systematically searched for published studies, gray literature, and unpublished information. In total, 456 data points were screened. Twelve interventions were included (nine interventions from 11 peer-reviewed articles and three interventions without published study reports), comprising nine interventions for adult refugees and three for adolescent and young refugees. Study participants were mostly satisfied with the interventions, indicating adequate acceptability. Only one randomized controlled trial (RCT; from two RCTs and two pilot RCTs) found a significant reduction in the primary clinical outcome compared to the control group. Dropout rates ranged from 2.9 to 80%. In the discussion, the heterogeneous findings are integrated into the current state of literature.
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35
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Scalable interventions for refugees. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2023; 10:e8. [PMID: 36843882 PMCID: PMC9947626 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2022.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Refugees experience a greater rate of common mental disorders relative to most other populations, and there remains a need to address these needs. However, most refugees are hosted in low-and-middle-income countries, where there is a lack of resources and mental health providers who can deliver mainstream mental health services. This situation has led to the emergence of scalable mental health interventions that can deliver evidence-based programs to refugees in need. Many countries hosting refugees have implemented programs that train local lay providers in interventions that can be delivered at scale. This review provides a narrative overview of these scalable interventions and critiques the evidence for their efficacy. It is noted that there are limitations to currently available scalable interventions, and there is a need for greater attention to determining the longer-term benefits of interventions, addressing the mental health needs of refugees who do not respond to these interventions, assisting refugees with more severe psychological disorders, and understanding the specific mechanisms that underpin observed benefits of these interventions.
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36
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Kim EE, Alemi Q, Stempel C, Siddiq H. Health disparities among Burmese diaspora: an integrative review. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2023; 8:100083. [PMID: 37384141 PMCID: PMC10306005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2022.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Tens of thousands of displaced Burmese ethnic minorities have endured various adversities for over six decades but are largely underserved. This study aimed to illuminate the health impacts of their misfortunes and unmet areas of concern. Using a holistic lens, we conducted an integrative review of 47 papers spanning the years 2004 to 2022 from diverse data sources. The results revealed widespread multimorbidity, triggered mainly by displacement. The diaspora's problematic health conditions were worse than their host country's general population. There was a strong indication that the diaspora's unfortunate health trajectory is determined early in life. Ongoing human rights violations and grossly inadequate health care interventions deepened pre-existing health conditions. Noteworthy emerging treatment initiatives, including integrative health care, were underutilized. The persisting health and intervention needs among the diaspora warrant advanced studies to facilitate much-needed resource mobilization and collaboration among stakeholders to promote health equity. Funding There was no financial support for this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice E. Kim
- Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Qais Alemi
- Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Carl Stempel
- Department of Sociology and Social Services, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, USA
| | - Hafifa Siddiq
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, USA
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Costanza A, Amerio A, Aguglia A, Magnani L, Huguelet P, Serafini G, Pompili M, Amore M. Meaning-centered therapy in Ukraine's war refugees: An attempt to cope with the absurd? Front Psychol 2022; 13:1067191. [PMID: 36619113 PMCID: PMC9815542 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1067191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Costanza
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University (UNIGE), Geneva, Switzerland,Department of Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry Service (SPA), University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Amerio
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy,*Correspondence: Andrea Amerio ✉
| | - Andrea Aguglia
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Luca Magnani
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Philippe Huguelet
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Geneva University (UNIGE), Geneva, Switzerland,Department of Psychiatry, Adult Psychiatry Service (SPA), University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Gianluca Serafini
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pompili
- Department of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Sensory Organs, Suicide Prevention Center, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Amore
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), Section of Psychiatry, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
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38
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Mental health in refugee children. Curr Opin Psychol 2022; 48:101460. [PMID: 36130437 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2022.101460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Almost half of the world's forcibly displaced population are children, most commonly originating from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Health disparities are well documented, especially for mental health, but not consistent across groups, time or context. Despite high exposure to trauma and stress, refugee children also show remarkable resilience. An ecological model of refugee health including both risk and resilience factors is therefore recommended. The model also includes the dynamic inter-relationship of past traumatic experiences, ongoing daily stressors and the disruptions of basic systems affecting both the individual and families as a whole, offering a framework to better understand the health disparities and appropriate interventions for refugee children.
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Bruhn M, Laugesen H, Kromann-Larsen M, Trevino CS, Eplov L, Hjorthøj C, Carlsson J. The effect of an integrated care intervention of multidisciplinary mental health treatment and employment services for trauma-affected refugees: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials 2022; 23:859. [PMID: 36209104 PMCID: PMC9547630 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-022-06774-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The complexity of past trauma and ongoing post-migration stressors challenges the existing mental health treatment for trauma-affected refugees. Therefore, interventions are needed to accommodate these complex challenges in mental health treatment. This study examines the effect of an add-on integrated care intervention compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for trauma-affected refugees in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Methods The study is carried out at a Danish outpatient clinic and will include 197 treatment-seeking refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who are unemployed and affiliated with municipal employment services. Mental health TAU comprises 10 sessions with a medical doctor (pharmacological treatment and psychoeducation) and 16–20 sessions with a psychologist (manual-based cognitive behavioural therapy) for a period of 8 to 12 months. The add-on intervention strengthens coordination between mental health treatment and employment interventions with three cross-sectoral collaborative meetings during the mental health treatment. The integrated care intervention draws attention to the bidirectional impact of mental health problems and post-migration stressors and focuses on cross-sectoral shared plans. The primary outcome is functioning, measured by WHODAS 2.0, the interviewer-administered 12-item version, with secondary outcomes measuring quality of life, mental health symptoms, and post-migration stressors. Discussion The RCT is novel in intervention design for trauma-affected refugees and will bring forward new perspectives and knowledge of integrated care interventions for trauma-affected refugees. The integrated care intervention is expected to reduce post-migration stressors that negatively affect the treatment of trauma-related mental health problems, thereby improving preconditions for enhanced treatment outcomes. The intervention builds on existing practices in the Danish healthcare and employment sectors, which ensures high scalability and sustainability for future practices. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04244864, registered 28 January 2020. Protocol version: 17 September 2022, version 2. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06774-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Bruhn
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Ballerup, Denmark.
| | - Henriette Laugesen
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Matilde Kromann-Larsen
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Ballerup, Denmark
| | - Cathrine Selnes Trevino
- The Norwegian National Centre for Ageing and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lene Eplov
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health - CORE, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark
| | - Carsten Hjorthøj
- Copenhagen Research Centre for Mental Health - CORE, Mental Health Centre Copenhagen, Gentofte, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Ballerup, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Tay AK, Carlsson J. Psychosocial treatment outcomes of common mental disorders vary widely in persons in low- and middle-income countries affected by humanitarian crises and refugees in high-income countries. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e100. [PMID: 35642349 PMCID: PMC9230631 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This commentary discusses methodological and contextual factors that might account for variations in psychosocial treatment outcomes found in persons in low- and middle-income countries affected by humanitarian crises and refugees. Factors discussed are related to cultural adaptations, content and intensity of treatment, population characteristics and factors related to research design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica Carlsson
- Competence Centre for Transcultural Psychiatry, Mental Health Centre Ballerup, Mental Health Services of the Capital Region of Denmark, Denmark; and Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Raut SB, Canales JJ, Ravindran M, Eri R, Benedek DM, Ursano RJ, Johnson LR. Effects of propranolol on the modification of trauma memory reconsolidation in PTSD patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res 2022; 150:246-256. [PMID: 35405409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) develops after an exposure to a life-threatening event and is characterized by intrusive memories. According to memory reconsolidation theory retrieval of memory under certain conditions leads to its labilization and subsequent re-storage which could be disrupted by drugs. Propranolol has been the most commonly investigated drug for memory reconsolidation therapy in clinical trials. Intervention with propranolol have shown mixed results in PTSD patients with some studies showing improvement in symptoms while other failing to replicate these findings. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of trauma memory disruption by propranolol on PTSD symptoms and physiological responses in PTSD patients. 3224 publications were assessed for eligibility. Seven studies on effects of propranolol on PTSD symptoms and 3 studies on effects of propranolol on physiological responses were incorporated in the meta-analyses. Overall, results indicate that propranolol did not show a beneficial effect on PTSD symptoms (standardized mean difference: 1.29; 95% CI = -2.16 - 0.17). Similarly, propranolol did not influence skin conductance (standardized mean difference: 0.77; 95% CI = -1.85 - 0.31) or EMG response (standardized mean difference: 0.16; 95% CI = -0.65 - 0.33). However, propranolol significantly reduced heart rate after trauma memory recall compared to placebo (standardized mean difference: 0.67; 95% CI = -1.27 to -0.07). This study finds a lack of evidence for the efficacy of propranolol on traumatic memory disruption, in PTSD patients, to recommend its routine clinical use. However, a high level of heterogeneity, variation in propranolol dosage and inadequate sample sizes mean that these findings require cautious interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket B Raut
- Schools of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS, 7250, Australia
| | - Juan J Canales
- Schools of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS, 7250, Australia
| | - Manoj Ravindran
- Department of Psychiatry, North West Private Hospital, Burnie, TAS, Australia
| | - Rajaraman Eri
- Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS, 7250, Australia
| | - David M Benedek
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Luke R Johnson
- Schools of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS, 7250, Australia; Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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Using Imagery Rescripting to Treat Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Refugees: A Case Study. COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpra.2022.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Seruwagi G, Nakidde C, Lugada E, Ssematiko M, Ddamulira DP, Masaba A, Luswata B, Ochen EA, Okot B, Muhangi D, Lawoko S. Psychological distress and social support among conflict refugees in urban, semi-rural and rural settlements in Uganda: burden and associations. Confl Health 2022; 16:25. [PMID: 35551630 PMCID: PMC9096741 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-022-00451-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent research shows that psychological distress is on the rise globally as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions imposed on populations to manage it. We studied the association between psychological distress and social support among conflict refugees in urban, semi-rural and rural settlements in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods Cross-sectional survey data on psychological distress, social support, demographics, socio-economic and behavioral variables was gathered from 1014 adult refugees randomly sampled from urban, semi-rural and rural refugee settlements in Uganda, using two-staged cluster sampling. Data was analyzed in SPSS-version 22, and statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05. Results Refugees resident in rural/semi-rural settlements exhibited higher levels of psychological distress [F(2, 1011) = 47.91; p < 0.001], higher availability of social interaction [F(2, 1011) = 82.24; p < 0.001], lower adequacy of social interaction [F(2, 1011) = 54.11; p < 0.001], higher availability of social attachment [F(2, 1011) = 47.95; p < 0.001], and lower adequacy of social attachment [F(2, 1011) = 50.54; p < 0.001] than peers in urban settlements. Adequacy of social interaction significantly explained variations in psychological distress levels overall and consistently across settlements, after controlling for plausible confounders. Additionally, adequacy of social attachment significantly explained variations in psychological distress levels among refugees in rural settlements, after controlling for plausible confounders. Conclusion There is a settlement-inequality (i.e. rural vs. urban) in psychological distress and social support among conflict refugees in Uganda. To address psychological distress, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) should focus on strategies which strengthen the existing social networks among refugees. Variations in social support are a key predictor of distress which should guide tailored need-adapted interventions instead of duplicating similar and generic interventions across diverse refugee settlements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Seruwagi
- Makerere University School of Public Health, Kampala, Uganda. .,Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Catherine Nakidde
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eric Lugada
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Maria Ssematiko
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | | | - Brian Luswata
- Directorate of Governance and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Eric A Ochen
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Betty Okot
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Denis Muhangi
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Centre for Health and Social Economic Improvement (CHASE-i), Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stephen Lawoko
- Department of Public Health Faculty of Medicine, Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda
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Mesa-Vieira C, Haas AD, Buitrago-Garcia D, Roa-Diaz ZM, Minder B, Gamba M, Salvador D, Gomez D, Lewis M, Gonzalez-Jaramillo WC, Pahud de Mortanges A, Buttia C, Muka T, Trujillo N, Franco OH. Mental health of migrants with pre-migration exposure to armed conflict: a systematic review and meta-analysis. THE LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 7:e469-e481. [DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(22)00061-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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Grasser LR. Addressing Mental Health Concerns in Refugees and Displaced Populations: Is Enough Being Done? Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022; 15:909-922. [PMID: 35573980 PMCID: PMC9094640 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s270233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
There are over 82.4 million forcibly displaced people worldwide, about a quarter of whom are resettling as refugees. In the wake of the global refugee crisis spurred by conflict, religious and political persecution, human rights violations, and climate disasters, a mental health has crisis followed. Not only does trauma experienced in home countries and as part of forced migration affect mental health, so too do post-migration traumatic events, discrimination, lack of access to quality and affordable healthcare and housing, and acculturation. To address mental health concerns in refugees and displaced populations, collective action is needed not only from health care providers but also from mental health researchers, funders, journals, resettlement agencies, government entities, and humanitarian organizations. The present review highlights the work of numerous scholars and organizations with the goal of understanding the mental health concerns of forcibly displaced persons within and across ecological systems. The present review seeks to bring attention to the experiences of forcibly displaced persons, summarize the growing body of research understanding the acute and chronic effects of forced displacement and possible interventions, and give a call to action for all members of the global community at every level to engage in joint efforts to improve mental health in refugees and displaced persons. Notably, there is a need for more interventions at the familial and community level that serve not only as treatment but also as prevention. Smartphone-based interventions, mind-body modalities, and interventions delivered by lay and non-clinician community members hold promise. Numerous strides could be made in refugee mental health and treatment when funding agencies include these goals in their research priorities. Despite the challenges they have faced, persons who resettle as refugees are incredibly resilient and deserve to be afforded every right, opportunity, dignity, and respect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Ruvolo Grasser
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Correspondence: Lana Ruvolo Grasser, 3901 Chrysler Dr., Suite 2C Room 273, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA, Tel +1 248 535 6371, Email
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Schiess-Jokanovic J, Knefel M, Kantor V, Weindl D, Schäfer I, Lueger-Schuster B. The boundaries between complex posttraumatic stress disorder symptom clusters and post-migration living difficulties in traumatised Afghan refugees: a network analysis. Confl Health 2022; 16:19. [PMID: 35477465 PMCID: PMC9043511 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-022-00455-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychological distress due to the ongoing war, violence, and persecution is particularly common among Afghan asylum seekers and refugees. In addition, individuals face a variety of post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs). Complex posttraumatic stress symptoms are among the most common mental health problems in this population, and were associated with the overall burden of PMLDs. The complex interplay of posttraumatic symptoms has been investigated from a network perspective in previous studies. However, individuals are embedded in and constantly react to the environment, which makes it important to include external factors in network models to better understand the etiology and maintaining factors of posttraumatic mental health problems. PMLDs are a major risk factor for posttraumatic distress and considering their impact in interventions might improve response rates. However, the interaction of these external factors with posttraumatic psychopathological distress is not yet fully understood. Thus, we aimed to illuminate the complex interaction between PMLDs and CPTSD symptom clusters. OBJECTIVE The main objective is the exploration of the network structure and the complex interplay of ICD-11 CPTSD symptom clusters and distinct forms of PMLDs. METHOD The symptom clusters of CPTSD and PMLDs were collected within a randomised controlled trial among 93 treatment-seeking Afghan asylum seekers and refugees via a fully structured face-to-face and interpreter assisted interview. Using a network analytical approach, we explored the complex associations and network centrality of the CPTSD symptom clusters and the PMLD factors: discrimination & socio-economical living conditions, language acquisition & barriers, family concerns, and residence insecurity. RESULTS The results suggest direct links within and between the constructs (CPTSD, PMLD). Almost all PMLD factors were interrelated and associated to CPTSD, family concerns was the only isolated variable. The CPTSD symptom cluster re-experiencing and the PMLD factor language acquisition & barriers connected the two constructs. Affective dysregulation had the highest and avoidance the lowest centrality. CONCLUSIONS Re-experiencing and affective dysregulation have the strongest ties to PMLDs. Thus, these domains might explain the strong association of posttraumatic psychopathology with PLMDs and, consequently, prioritization of these domains in treatment approaches might both facilitate treatment response and reduce burden caused by PMLDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schiess-Jokanovic
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Wächtergasse 1, 1010, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Matthias Knefel
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Wächtergasse 1, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viktoria Kantor
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Wächtergasse 1, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dina Weindl
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Wächtergasse 1, 1010, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingo Schäfer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Lueger-Schuster
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Wächtergasse 1, 1010, Vienna, Austria
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Raut SB, Marathe PA, van Eijk L, Eri R, Ravindran M, Benedek DM, Ursano RJ, Canales JJ, Johnson LR. Diverse therapeutic developments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) indicate common mechanisms of memory modulation. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 239:108195. [PMID: 35489438 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), characterized by abnormally persistent and distressing memories, is a chronic debilitating condition in need of new treatment options. Current treatment guidelines recommend psychotherapy as first line management with only two drugs, sertraline and paroxetine, approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of PTSD. These drugs have limited efficacy as they only reduce symptoms related to depression and anxiety without producing permanent remission. PTSD remains a significant public health problem with high morbidity and mortality requiring major advances in therapeutics. Early evidence has emerged for the beneficial effects of psychedelics particularly in combination with psychotherapy for management of PTSD, including psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, cannabinoids, ayahuasca and ketamine. MDMA and psilocybin reduce barrier to therapy by increasing trust between therapist and patient, thus allowing for modification of trauma related memories. Furthermore, research into the memory reconsolidation mechanisms has allowed for identification of various pharmacological targets to disrupt abnormally persistent memories. A number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have investigated novel and re-purposed pharmacological agents to disrupt fear memory in PTSD. Novel therapeutic approaches like neuropeptide Y, oxytocin, cannabinoids and neuroactive steroids have also shown potential for PTSD treatment. Here, we focus on the role of fear memory in the pathophysiology of PTSD and propose that many of these new therapeutic strategies produce benefits through the effect on fear memory. Evaluation of recent research findings suggests that while a number of drugs have shown promising results in preclinical studies and pilot clinical trials, the evidence from large scale clinical trials would be needed for these drugs to be incorporated in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket B Raut
- Schools of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS 7250, Australia
| | - Padmaja A Marathe
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Parel, Mumbai 400 012, India
| | - Liza van Eijk
- Department of Psychology, College of Healthcare Sciences, James Cook University, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Rajaraman Eri
- Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS 7250, Australia
| | - Manoj Ravindran
- Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS 7250, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, North-West Private Hospital, Burnie TAS 7320, Australia
| | - David M Benedek
- Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Robert J Ursano
- Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Juan J Canales
- Schools of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS 7250, Australia
| | - Luke R Johnson
- Schools of Psychological Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, TAS 7250, Australia; Centre for the Study of Traumatic Stress, Department of Psychiatry, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.
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Gargano MC, Ajduković D, Vukčević Marković M. Mental Health in the Transit Context: Evidence from 10 Countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063476. [PMID: 35329157 PMCID: PMC8954994 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most interventions for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) have been developed in contexts and with populations that differ significantly from the realities of migration. There is an urgent need for MHPSS in transit; however, transit-specific aspects of MHPSS provision are often neglected due to the inherent challenges transit poses to traditional conceptualizations of practice. The Delphi method, which consisted of three iterative rounds of surveys, was applied with the goal of identifying challenges to and adaptations of MHPSS in the transit context. Twenty-six MHPSS providers working with refugees in 10 European transit countries participated; 69% of participants completed all three survey rounds. There was consensus that a flexible model of MHPSS, which can balance low intensity interventions and specialized care, is needed. Agreement was high for practice-related and sociopolitical factors impacting MHPSS in transit; however, the mandate of MHPSS providers working in the transit context achieved the lowest consensus and is yet to be defined. There is a need to rethink MHPSS in the refugee transit context. Providing MHPSS to refugees on the move has specificities, most of which are related to the instability and uncertainty of the context. Future directions for improving mental health protection for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in transit are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Caterina Gargano
- Department of Psychology, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame, 390 Corbett Family Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA;
| | - Dean Ajduković
- Department of Psychology, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lucica 3, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Maša Vukčević Marković
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Psychosocial Innovation Network, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-63-723-4658
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Van der Boor CF, Christiansen P, Anand P, White R. The development and validation of the ‘Good Life in the Community Scale’ (GLiCS): a validation study with women migrants living in high income countries. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:486. [PMID: 35277148 PMCID: PMC8917750 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12866-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
To date, few assessment instruments have been developed to quantitatively measure the mental health status of migrant populations specifically. This paper describes the development and preliminary assessment of the ‘Good Life in the Community Scale’ (GLiCS). GLiCS is a wellbeing measure for migrant women in high-income settings that was coproduced with experts by experience across two phases.
Methods
The study used a mixed-methods approach and was composed of two phases. Phase I: 88 initial items generated using qualitative data collected in a previous study were reduced to 42 through consultation with expert advisory panels, based on whether each item was considered understandable and relevant Phase II: these 42 items were piloted with a sample of migrant women (N = 109). A preliminary exploratory factor analysis was conducted using Oblique rotation. Internal consistency was measured using McDonald’s ω. Convergent validity was tested by correlating the GLiCS with the Oxford Capabilities Questionnaire Mental Health (OxCAP-MH), WHO-5 wellbeing index and Objective Social Outcomes Index (SIX). Incremental validity was tested using hierarchical regression analysis to ascertain the effect on the WHO-5 wellbeing index of: age, migration status, SIX, OxCAP-MH and GLiCS. Known groups validity, the ability a measure has to discriminate between groups likely to differ on the variables of interest, was tested between the different migrant categories using a simple between subjects ANOVA.
Results
Exploratory factor analysis confirmed a 17-item (three-factor: (i) access to resources, (ii) belonging and contributing, (iii) independence) scale with high internal consistency (McDonald’s ω = 0.91). Convergent and incremental validity were also evidenced.
Conclusion
The GLiCS has demonstrable good internal consistency and construct validity, and it presents a promising wellbeing measure for better understanding the experience of migrant women.
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Bryant RA, Bawaneh A, Awwad M, Al-Hayek H, Giardinelli L, Whitney C, Jordans MJD, Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Ventevogel P, Dawson K, Akhtar A. Effectiveness of a brief group behavioral intervention for common mental disorders in Syrian refugees in Jordan: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003949. [PMID: 35298469 PMCID: PMC8929659 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common mental disorders are frequently experienced by refugees. This study evaluates the impact of a brief, lay provider delivered group-based psychological intervention [Group Problem Management Plus (gPM+)] on the mental health of refugees in a camp, as well as on parenting behavior and children's mental health. METHODS AND FINDINGS In this single-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial, 410 adult Syrian refugees (300 females, 110 males) in Azraq Refugee Camp (Jordan) were identified through screening of psychological distress (≥16 on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale) and impaired functioning (≥17 on the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule). Participants were randomly allocated to gPM+ or enhanced usual care (EUC) involving referral information for psychosocial services on a 1:1 ratio. Participants were aware of treatment allocation, but assessors were blinded to treatment condition. Primary outcomes were scores on the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL; depression and anxiety scales) assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months follow-up as the primary outcome time point. It was hypothesized that gPM+ would result in greater reductions of scores on the HSCL than EUC. Secondary outcomes were disability, posttraumatic stress, personally identified problems, prolonged grief, prodromal psychotic symptoms, parenting behavior, and children's mental health. Between October 15, 2019 and March 2, 2020, 624 refugees were screened for eligibility, 462 (74.0%) screened positive, of whom 204 were assigned to gPM+ and 206 to EUC. There were 168 (82.4%) participants in gPM+ and 189 (91.7%) in EUC assessed at follow-up. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that at follow-up, participants in gPM+ showed greater reduction on HSCL depression scale than those receiving EUC (mean difference, 3.69 [95% CI 1.90 to 5.48], p = .001; effect size, 0.40). There was no difference between conditions in anxiety (mean difference -0.56, 95% CI -2.09 to 0.96; p = .47; effect size, -0.03). Relative to EUC, participants in gPM+ had greater reductions in severity of personally identified problems (mean difference 0.88, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.69; p = .03), and inconsistent disciplinary parenting (mean difference 1.54, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.05; p < .001). There were no significant differences between conditions for changes in PTSD, disability, grief, prodromal symptoms, or childhood mental health outcomes. Mediation analysis indicated the change in inconsistent disciplinary parenting was associated with reduced attentional (β = 0.11, SE .07; 95% CI .003 to .274) and internalizing (β = 0.08, SE .05; 95% CI .003 to 0.19) problems in children. No adverse events were attributable to the interventions or the trial. Major limitations included only one-quarter of participants being male, and measures of personally identified problems, grief, prodromal psychotic symptoms, inconsistent parenting behavior, and children's mental health have not been validated with Syrians. CONCLUSIONS In camp-based Syrian refugees, a brief group behavioral intervention led to reduced depressive symptoms, personally identified problems, and disciplinary parenting compared to usual care, and this may have indirect benefits for refugees' children. The limited capacity of the intervention to reduce PTSD, disability, or children's psychological problems points to the need for development of more effective treatments for refugees in camp settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Prospectively registered at Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12619001386123.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A. Bryant
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ahmad Bawaneh
- Jordan Country Office, International Medical Corps, Amman, Jordan
| | - Manar Awwad
- Jordan Country Office, International Medical Corps, Amman, Jordan
| | - Hadeel Al-Hayek
- Jordan Country Office, International Medical Corps, Amman, Jordan
| | | | - Claire Whitney
- International Medical Corps, Washington DC, United States of America
| | - Mark J. D. Jordans
- War Child, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Peter Ventevogel
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Katie Dawson
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Aemal Akhtar
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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