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Lembke EJ, Linderkamp F, Casale G. Trauma-sensitive school concepts for students with a refugee background: a review of international studies. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1321373. [PMID: 38756485 PMCID: PMC11098281 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1321373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Children and adolescents with a refugee background are at high risk for traumatization. Once they arrive in safe countries, schools are the institutions where teachers are responsible for caring for them sensitively and competently. Furthermore, schools are organized in learning groups consisting of multiple peers of the same age, which provides excellent opportunities for social learning and experiences of social support. In this respect, schools are the appropriate places where preventive concepts can be applied to students with a refugee background. This systematic review summarizes studies that examine or evaluate existing international concepts of trauma-sensitive schools for supporting traumatized students with a refugee background. Based on N = 41 selected articles, 17 relevant concepts of trauma-sensitive schools were identified. In 35.3% of the concepts, traumatized students with a refugee background are explicitly included in the target group of the concept, while 47.1% of the concepts refer to groups of students with trauma as a result of various adverse childhood experiences, which also occur more frequently within the population of refugee children and adolescents 17.6% of the concepts contain specific adaptations for pupils with a refugee background. The majority of these concepts were developed in the United States. Additional concepts can be reported for Australia, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Cambodia. Based on available empirical data, no significant effectiveness regarding the researched concepts' effects on academic and other school-related data can be determined. Although some studies indicate positive effects concerning school-related target variables, most of the studies have only limited significance due to inadequate research designs and methodological deficiencies. Therefore, there is a great need for further development, careful implementation, and evaluation of trauma-sensitive concepts in schools, especially for the growing group of refugee students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva J. Lembke
- School of Education, Institute of Educational Research, University of Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
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2
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Lechner-Meichsner F, Comtesse H, Olk M. Prevalence, comorbidities, and factors associated with prolonged grief disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder in refugees: a systematic review. Confl Health 2024; 18:32. [PMID: 38627778 PMCID: PMC11020800 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-024-00586-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The number of refugees worldwide is at an all-time high with many being exposed to potentially traumatic events and the loss of loved ones. The 11th revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems now includes prolonged grief disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder and revised criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder. An overview of these stress-related disorders among people who have become refugees is therefore needed. Consequently, we conducted a systematic review to determine prevalence rates, comorbidities, and associated factors for each of the disorders. METHOD We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycArticles to identify studies that reported prevalence rates, predictors or associated factors, and/or comorbid mental disorders for either (1) prolonged grief disorder, (2) posttraumatic stress disorder, or (3) complex posttraumatic stress disorder among refugees. The selection process followed the PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS A total of 36 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most of the studies were of high quality. There was substantial variation in prevalence rates by disorder, with prolonged grief ranging from 6 to 54%, posttraumatic stress disorder ranging from 0.4 to 80%, and complex posttraumatic stress disorder ranging from 3 to 74.6%. Pooled prevalence for posttraumatic stress disorder was estimated at 29.8% in treatment seeking samples and 9.92% in population samples. For complex posttraumatic stress disorder, it was estimated at 57.4% in treatment seeking samples and 7.8% in population samples. Posttraumatic stress disorder was among the most frequent comorbidities for prolonged grief disorder while depressive symptoms were the most frequently occurring co-morbidity across all three disorders. Sociodemographic variables, trauma exposure, and loss characteristics were associated with higher symptom severity. Postmigration living difficulties played an important role in prolonged grief and complex posttraumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSION The review revealed substantial differences in prevalence rates between the three studied disorders but underscored a very high prevalence of ICD-11 stress-related disorders among refugees. The identified associated factors point to subgroups that may be particularly at risk and establishes a foundational basis for targeted interventions and potential policy changes. Future research should incorporate longitudinal investigations and emphasize culturally sensitive assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska Lechner-Meichsner
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Varrentrappstraße 40-42, 60486, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, 3584 CS, Netherlands.
| | - Hannah Comtesse
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Ostenstraße 26, 85072, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Marie Olk
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Varrentrappstraße 40-42, 60486, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Lee K, Kronick R, Miconi D, Rousseau C. Moving Forward in Mental Health Care for Refugee, Asylum-Seeking, and Undocumented Children: Social Determinants, Phased Approach to Care, and Advocacy. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2024; 33:237-250. [PMID: 38395508 DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2023.09.007] [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: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Given the current political and climate crisis, the number of forcedly displaced individuals continues to rise, posing new challenges to host societies aiming to support and respond to the needs of those fleeing war or persecution. In this article, we turn our attention to current and historical sociopolitical contexts influencing the mental health of forcedly displaced children (ie, refugee, asylum-seeking, and undocumented) during their resettlement in high-income countries, proposing timely ways to respond to evolving needs and recommendations to redress ubiquitous structural inequities that act as barriers to education and care for the children, youth, and families seeking sanctuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keven Lee
- Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Lady Davis Institute, 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec.
| | - Rachel Kronick
- Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Lady Davis Institute, 3755 Côte Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec
| | - Diana Miconi
- Department of Educational Psychology and Adult Education, Université de Montréal, 90 Vincent D'Indy Avenue, Outremont, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Cécile Rousseau
- Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, 1033 Pine Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Garcini LM, Vázquez AL, Abraham C, Abraham C, Sarabu V, Cruz PL. Implications of Undocumented Status for Latinx Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call to Action. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL FOR THE SOCIETY OF CLINICAL CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHOLOGY, AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, DIVISION 53 2024; 53:10-23. [PMID: 36689639 PMCID: PMC10710880 DOI: 10.1080/15374416.2022.2158837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported among Latinxs in the U.S. Among those most affected by the pandemic are marginalized families, including those that are undocumented and mixed-status, in which some, but not all members are undocumented. Undocumented and mixed-status families face multiple and chronic daily stressors that compromised their health and wellbeing. Salient stressors faced by undocumented Latinx families include poverty, social disadvantage, discrimination, dangerous living and working conditions, and limited access to healthcare. These stressors are frequently compounded with trauma, fear of detention, deportation, and family separation. PURPOSE Informed by the literature and insights from our community-based work to address the health needs of undocumented and mixed status Latinx families during the pandemic, this paper uses a social determinants of health lens to present a narrative summary that highlights four primary psychosocial stressors faced by these families and their implications for mental health. DISCUSSION These include stressors pertaining to (a) anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions; (b) family stressors and disruptions in family dynamics; (c) economic changes and financial losses; and (c) limited access to healthcare. Implications of the aforesaid stressors on the mental health of undocumented families and youth are also discussed. In addition, recommendations are provided for the provision of mental health services, best practices, and resources from a strengths-based approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz M. Garcini
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University
- Center for the United States and Mexico, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University
| | | | | | - Ciciya Abraham
- Department of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio
| | - Vyas Sarabu
- Department of Medicine, Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
| | - Pamela Lizette Cruz
- Center for the United States and Mexico, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University
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Khraisha Q, Sawalha L, Hadfield K, Al-Soleiti M, Dajani R, Panter-Brick C. Coparenting, mental health, and the pursuit of dignity: A systems-level analysis of refugee father-mother narratives. Soc Sci Med 2024; 340:116452. [PMID: 38171170 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116452] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Research on coparenting is virtually absent from the refugee literature, despite its importance for family systems, children's bio-behavioural and emotional development, and intergenerational responses to social change. In 2022, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with Syrian refugees in Jordan and used thematic analysis to examine how fathers and mothers (n = 15 dyads) enacted parenting together. We identified four approaches characterising how couples navigated coparenting interactions, family cohesion, and intergenerational change. These were negotiation, mirroring, anchoring, and transformation. Specifically, Syrian couples negotiated how to balance responsibilities, sought emotions and behaviours that reflected calm and respect, prioritised family togetherness over education or resettlement opportunities, and, strikingly, adopted gentler parenting approaches to transform intergenerational experiences. Underpinning these four themes were efforts to uphold family dignity. Syrians described themselves as ordinary parents, eschewing the label of refugee parents and building a normal life for their families after war and displacement. Our thematic analysis offers methodological and conceptual advances in exemplifying how to capture a dyadic understanding of coparenting and why refugees strive to parent in ways that sustain mental health and dignity. This systems-level analysis of coparenting in dignity is specifically relevant to strengthening the processes of family-level communication and to designing integrated programs that support caregiving, wellness, and family unity. Our findings lay the groundwork for developing a relational, agentic model of family caregiving systems in the context of precarity and forced displacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qusai Khraisha
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Kristin Hadfield
- Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Majd Al-Soleiti
- Tahgyeer Foundation, Amman, Jordan; Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic, USA
| | - Rana Dajani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, The Hashemite University, Jordan
| | - Catherine Panter-Brick
- Department of Anthropology, Yale University, USA; Jackson School of Global Affairs, Yale University, USA; Conflict, Resilience, and Health Program, Yale University, USA.
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Liu Y, Jiang F, Liu Y, Xu F, Duan X, Li Q, Zhao W, Xu R, Wang J, Liu C, Liu Y. The influence of parental rearing style on the incidence of panic disorder, major depressive disorder and the comorbidity among Chinese college students. J Affect Disord 2023; 338:100-106. [PMID: 37290524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.06.019] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Panic disorder (PD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and the comorbidity (PD&MDD) in college students have caused a heavy disease burden for individuals and families. However, little was known for the comorbidity, especially the impact of parental rearing style on the incidence of the PD&MDD comorbidity. METHODS A cohort study was conducted among 6652 Chinese college students. Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-3.0) was used for disease diagnosis. The parental rearing styles were measured by the Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran (EMBU) scale and factor analysis was used to reduce the dimension of the EMBU scale. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to determine the relationships between parenting styles and disease incidence. SPSS version 26.0 was used for all statistical analyses. RESULTS The 1-year incidence of PD, MDD, and PD&MDD comorbidity was 0.27 %, 2.04 %, and 0.21 %, respectively. Emotional warmth mode (OR = 0.753, 95%CI: 0.631-0.899, P < 0.01) were only negatively correlated with major depressive disorder. However, punishment denial mode (OR = 1.857, 95%CI: 1.316-2.620, P < 0.01) and over-participation mode (OR = 1.862, 95%CI: 1.176-2.949, P < 0.01) were positively correlated with the comorbidity of panic disorder and major depressive disorder. LIMITATIONS The limited follow-up period was only 1 year in this study which had impacted the collection of new onset cases. CONCLUSIONS Parental rearing style has a long-term influence on the psychiatric status of college students. Parenting style interventions working as the second level of mental disorder prevention will play an important role in MDD, PD and comorbidity prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiju Wang
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Xiuzhen Zhang
- Shandong Daizhuang Hospital, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Yanzhi Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Fengxia Jiang
- Jining Veterans Military Hospital, Yanzhou, Shandong, China
| | - Yujia Liu
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fangfang Xu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Ximing Duan
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China; Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Qingqing Li
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Weiyan Zhao
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China; Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Ruixue Xu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China; School of Public Health and Management, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - JianLi Wang
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China; Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Chuanxin Liu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China.
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China; Center of Evidence-Based Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China.
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Denckla CA, Dice ALE, Slopen N, Koenen KC, Tiemeier H. Mental health among bereaved youth in the ALSPAC birth cohort: Consideration of early sociodemographic precursors, cognitive ability, and type of loss. Dev Psychopathol 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37272542 PMCID: PMC10696131 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579423000512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bereaved youth are at greater risk for adverse mental health outcomes, yet less is known about how social context shapes health for bereaved children. Ecosocial theory is employed to conceptualize bereavement in the context of sociodemographic factors. METHOD This longitudinal study used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Of the 15,454 pregnancies enrolled, 5050 youth were still enrolled at age 16.5 and completed self-report questionnaires on life events and emotional/behavioral symptoms. RESULTS Sociodemographic precursors associated with parent, sibling, or close friend bereavement included maternal smoking, parental education levels, and financial difficulties. The significant yet small main effect of higher cognitive ability, assessed at age 8, on reduced emotional/behavioral symptoms at age 16.5 (β = -0.01, SE = 0.00, p < 0.001) did not interact with bereavement. Bereavement of a parent, sibling, or close friend was associated with a 0.19 point higher emotional/behavioral symptom log score compared to non-bereaved youth (95% CI: 0.10-0.28), across emotional, conduct, and hyperactivity subscales. CONCLUSIONS Descriptive findings suggest sociodemographic precursors are associated with bereavement. While there was an association between the bereavement of a parent, sibling, or close friend and elevated emotional/behavioral symptoms, cognitive ability did not moderate that effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy A. Denckla
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Natalie Slopen
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karestan C. Koenen
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Boston, MA, USA
| | - Henning Tiemeier
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Roszik-Volovik X, Brandão AP, Kollárovics N, Farkas BF, Frank-Bozóki E, Horváth LO, Kaló Z, Nguyen Luu LA, Balazs J. Research group as helpers due to the war in Ukraine: Focus group experiences of women researchers. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1139252. [PMID: 36937722 PMCID: PMC10014792 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1139252] [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: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction World Health Organization studies have shown that one in every five people who have experienced war or other conflicts suffers from a mental health disorder, the most vulnerable groups being children and women. According to international guidelines, mental health care should be made available immediately in the event of disaster. With the first influx of Ukrainian refugees to Hungary at the outbreak of the war, the Research Group of Childhood Mental Health at Eötvös Loránd University and Semmelweis University in Budapest immediately decided to help by transforming itself into a support group for refugee families. The members of the support group are all women. The aim of the present study is to explore the motivation behind the transformation of the research group and the help it provided. A further aim was to compare the group's experiences with descriptions in the literature of impacts on helpers who work with refugees. Methods The current paper reflects on the transformation from researchers to helpers and the effects of that transformation at group and individual level using the focus group method and consensual text analysis. The transformation of the support group necessitated the involvement of students, whose experiences are also examined. Results We identified five main categories: context; the help recipients' perspective; the personal level; the professional level; and the level between the personal and professional. Discussion The analysis revealed the way in which the voluntary helping developed, the resulting difficulties, and coping options. Volunteering among Ukrainian refugees has both positive and negative psychological consequences. While stress and trauma threaten the psychological well-being of the helpers, positive aspects, such as flexibility and professional development, are also reported. Due to the strong motivation among group members and their experience in practical work, the all female research group was quickly able to transform itself into a support group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xenia Roszik-Volovik
- Department of Developmental and Clinical Child Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Xenia Roszik-Volovik,
| | - Anna Paula Brandão
- Doctoral School of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Kollárovics
- Doctoral School of Mental Health Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Nemzetközi Cseperedő Alapítvány (International Cseperedő Foundation), Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Lili Olga Horváth
- Department of Developmental and Clinical Child Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsa Kaló
- Department of Counselling and School Psychology, Institute of Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Lan Anh Nguyen Luu
- Institute of Intercultural Psychology and Education, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Balazs
- Department of Developmental and Clinical Child Psychology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Psychology, Oslo New University College, Oslo, Norway
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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: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [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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10
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Michalek J, Lisi M, Binetti N, Ozkaya S, Hadfield K, Dajani R, Mareschal I. War-related trauma linked to increased sustained attention to threat in children. Child Dev 2022; 93:900-909. [PMID: 35147214 PMCID: PMC9542223 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Experiences of war and displacement can have profound effects on children's affective development and mental health, although the mechanism(s) underlying these effects remain unknown. This study investigated the link between early adversity and attention to affective stimuli using a free-viewing eye-tracking paradigm with Syrian refugee (n = 31, Mage = 9.55, 12 female) and Jordanian non-refugee (n = 55, Mage = 9.98, 30 female) children living in Jordan (March 2020). Questionnaires assessed PTSD, anxiety/depression, insecurity, distress, and trauma. Refugee children showed greater initial avoidance of angry and happy faces compared to non-refugee children, and higher trauma exposure was linked to increased sustained attention to angry stimuli. These findings suggest that war-related trauma may have differential effects on the early and later stages of affective processing in refugee children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Michalek
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Matteo Lisi
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London, London, UK
| | - Nicola Binetti
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Sumeyye Ozkaya
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Kristin Hadfield
- School of Psychology, Trinity Centre for Global Health, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rana Dajani
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | - Isabelle Mareschal
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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Barboza J, Seedall R. Evaluating the relationship between family resilience and grief-related symptoms: A preliminary analysis. DEATH STUDIES 2021; 47:1-11. [PMID: 34714223 DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1993381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Walsh's Family Resilience Framework offers clinicians a comprehensive theoretical approach for supporting bereaved families. In this study, a total of 139 bereaved adults who lost a family member in the last 5 years were surveyed about their family's resilience processes, their current outlook on life, and their current grief-related symptoms. The data from this sample were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural regression. Family resilience processes were negatively related to grief symptoms; however, this relationship was mediated by personal meaning. The results suggest that Walsh's Family Resilience Framework may be an appropriate conceptual tool to assess family resilience in bereavement practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Barboza
- Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Ryan Seedall
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
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