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Tan J, Shi W, Yuan GF, Lowe SR, Liu J. Perceived barriers and influencing factors of psychological help-seeking amongst Chinese nurses exposed to COVID-19. J Res Nurs 2024; 29:203-213. [PMID: 38883255 PMCID: PMC11179599 DOI: 10.1177/17449871241236387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused psychological problems among nurses worldwide. However, their willingness to seek professional help is relatively low, due to perceived barriers that have remained unknown. Aims This study analysed the potential barriers and influencing factors of psychological help-seeking among nurses participating in community COVID-19 epidemic prevention work. Methods Five variables - depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress syndrome, social support and mental health literacy - were measured from a sample of 667 nurses. Latent class analysis identified homogeneous classes about psychological help-seeking barriers and multinomial logistic regression identified factors associated with potential grouping outcomes. Results Three categories were identified: major barriers (N = 17, 2.5%), stigma and accessibility barriers (N = 132, 21.2%) and low barriers (N = 518, 76.4%). Mental health literacy was significantly correlated with the 'low barriers' class (OR = 0.953, B = -0.047, p = 0.03), whereas depression (OR = 1.091, B = 0.085, p = 0.011) had a slightly positive effect on being in the 'stigma and accessibility barriers' class. Conclusions During pandemics or other social health crises, nurses may experience psychological barriers to help seeking. Communities and hospitals should consider increasing the resources available for psychological counselling services, improving mental health awareness and literacy that may help reduce depression levels and promote mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Tan
- Research Student, Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDMR), Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Associate Professor, Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction (IDMR), Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guanzhe Frank Yuan
- Associate Professor, School of Education Science, Leshan Normal University, Leshan, China
| | - Sarah R Lowe
- Associate Professor, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jiahe Liu
- Research Student, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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2
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Saleh EA, Klapprott F, Heinz A, Kluge U. Challenges in substance use treatment as perceived by professionals and Arabic-speaking refugees in Germany. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2023; 18:69. [PMID: 37978534 PMCID: PMC10656940 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00576-5] [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: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use (SU) and substance use disorders (SUDs) have been recently documented among forcibly displaced populations as a coping mechanism to migration and postmigration stressors. Although the literature exploring substance use among refugees has grown recently, little is known about SU among Arabic-speaking refugees and, more specifically, on the challenges and experiences in regards to SU treatment. This study investigates this topic from the perspectives of Arabic-speaking refugees and professionals in Germany. METHODS Design and participants To expand our knowledge on this topic, a qualitative approach was employed by conducting in-depth and semi-structured interviews among 26 participants (13 refugees and 13 professionals) in Germany during 2020-2021. Purposive sampling was used to recruit Arabic-speaking refugees in two rehabilitation centers in Berlin. Data and analysis Interviews were conducted with 26 participants of which 13 were refugees and 13 professionals. Refugees were interviewed individually in the rehabilitation centers, they ranged from 21 to 52 years of age, and their average time in Germany was 6.3 years. An open-ended survey was conducted among the professionals via the SoSci-survey platform, and they ranged from 22 to 66 years of age, with an average of 5 to 9 years of work experience. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes resulted from the thematic analysis: (1) The treatment is facilitated by institutional and emotional support; (2) The affected refugees struggle with complex contextual barriers to access SUD treatment; and (3) Individual and community preventive strategies are needed. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insight into the support and challenges of accessing effective SU treatment and prevention among Arabic-speaking refugees in Germany. Collaborative efforts by the community, professionals, and policymakers are needed to facilitate access to effective treatment and implement culturally and linguistically sensitive approaches for the treatment and prevention of SU among refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebtesam A Saleh
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Aden, Aden, Yemen.
| | - Felix Klapprott
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute for Integration and Migration Research (BIM), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Kluge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte (CCM), Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute for Integration and Migration Research (BIM), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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3
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Mechem CC, Boyle TL, Simmons MA, McCall MW, Sammon M. An EMS Response to Refugees Arriving at an International Airport: A Report From the Field. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2023; 17:e539. [PMID: 37921225 DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2023.209] [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] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Following Afghanistan's fall in August 2021, many refugees were settled in the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome. They were flown from Kabul to the Middle East and Europe before continuing to the U.S. By late September Philadelphia was the sole destination. From there refugees were transported to Safe Haven military bases around the country. Philadelphia International Airport became the site of a months-long operation involving city, state, federal, and private agencies engaged in processing, medical screening, and COVID-testing of arriving refugees. The Philadelphia Fire Department played an integral role. Minor medical conditions were treated onsite. Higher acuity patients were transported to nearby hospitals. The goal was to maintain flow of refugees to their next destination while addressing acute medical issues. Between August 28, 2021, and March 1, 2022, the airport processed 29,713 refugees. Philadelphia's experience may serve as a guide for planning future such refugee operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Crawford Mechem
- University of Pennsylvania Health System - Emergency Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Philadelphia Fire Department - Division of EMS, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tabitha L Boyle
- Philadelphia Fire Department - Division of EMS, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael A Simmons
- Philadelphia Fire Department - Division of EMS, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Martin W McCall
- Philadelphia Fire Department - Division of EMS, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maura Sammon
- Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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4
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Kurt G, Ekhtiari M, Ventevogel P, Ersahin M, Ilkkursun Z, Akbiyik N, Acarturk C. Socio-cultural integration of Afghan refugees in Türkiye: the role of traumatic events, post-displacement stressors and mental health. Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2023; 32:e51. [PMID: 37539679 PMCID: PMC10465316 DOI: 10.1017/s204579602300063x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Socio-cultural integration of refugees has received scant attention in the academic literature. Türkiye hosts the largest number of refugees, including Afghans, as the second largest asylum-seeking group in Türkiye. There is a dearth of research into the mental health and integration of Afghan refugees in Türkiye. The aim of the present study was to investigate socio-cultural integration outcomes among Afghan refugees in Türkiye by considering the role of traumatic events and post-displacement stressors. The role of mental health in integration outcomes was further examined. METHODS A cross-sectional, web-based survey study with 785 Afghan refugees in Türkiye was conducted between April and June 2021. Data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, potentially traumatic events (PTEs) (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire), post-displacement stressors (Post-Migration Living Difficulties Checklist), mental health symptoms (Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25), social integration- social bonds (contact with co-ethnic group members) and social bridges (contact with the host community)- and cultural integration (Vancouver Index of Acculturation). Structural equation modelling was conducted to test the hypothesized relationship between conflict and displacement-related stressors, mental health and socio-cultural integration. RESULTS Findings showed that conflict-related traumatic events and post-displacement stressors significantly predicted higher mental health symptoms. Experiencing traumatic events significantly predicted higher levels of social bridges, adopting destination culture and lower level of maintaining heritage culture. Mental health problems predicted the relationship between stressors related to forced displacement and integration outcomes-social bridges and adopting destination culture. These findings highlight the role of mental health as an indispensable resource for socio-cultural integration. Further, conflict and displacement-related stressors are important determinants of socio-cultural integration among Afghan refugees in Türkiye. CONCLUSION Exposure to PTEs and post-displacement stressors were significant risk factors for the mental health and socio-cultural integration of Afghan refugees in Türkiye. These stressful experiences deteriorate refugees' mental health, which hinders their integration into the host society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gülşah Kurt
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Merve Ersahin
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nuriye Akbiyik
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Ceren Acarturk
- Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Alemi Q, Panter-Brick C, Oriya S, Ahmady M, Alimi AQ, Faiz H, Hakim N, Sami Hashemi SA, Manaly MA, Naseri R, Parwiz K, Sadat SJ, Sharifi MZ, Shinwari Z, Ahmadi SJ, Amin R, Azimi S, Hewad A, Musavi Z, Siddiqi AM, Bragin M, Kashino W, Lavdas M, Miller KE, Missmahl I, Omidian PA, Trani JF, van der Walt SK, Silove D, Ventevogel P. Afghan mental health and psychosocial well-being: thematic review of four decades of research and interventions. BJPsych Open 2023; 9:e125. [PMID: 37424447 PMCID: PMC10375890 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2023.502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Four decades of war, political upheaval, economic deprivation and forced displacement have profoundly affected both in-country and refugee Afghan populations. AIMS We reviewed literature on mental health and psychosocial well-being, to assess the current evidence and describe mental healthcare systems, including government programmes and community-based interventions. METHOD In 2022, we conducted a systematic search in Google Scholar, PTSDpubs, PubMed and PsycINFO, and a hand search of grey literature (N = 214 papers). We identified the main factors driving the epidemiology of mental health problems, culturally salient understandings of psychological distress, coping strategies and help-seeking behaviours, and interventions for mental health and psychosocial support. RESULTS Mental health problems and psychological distress show higher risks for women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and youth. Issues of suicidality and drug use are emerging problems that are understudied. Afghans use specific vocabulary to convey psychological distress, drawing on culturally relevant concepts of body-mind relationships. Coping strategies are largely embedded in one's faith and family. Over the past two decades, concerted efforts were made to integrate mental health into the nation's healthcare system, train cadres of psychosocial counsellors, and develop community-based psychosocial initiatives with the help of non-governmental organisations. A small but growing body of research is emerging around psychological interventions adapted to Afghan contexts and culture. CONCLUSIONS We make four recommendations to promote health equity and sustainable systems of care. Interventions must build cultural relevance, invest in community-based psychosocial support and evidence-based psychological interventions, maintain core mental health services at logical points of access and foster integrated systems of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qais Alemi
- School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University, California, USA
| | - Catherine Panter-Brick
- Jackson Institute for Global Affairs and Department of Anthropology, Yale University, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Mariam Ahmady
- Department of Counselling, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Kabul University, Afghanistan
| | | | - Hafizullah Faiz
- Jalalabad Regional Management Office, Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, Jalalabad, Afghanistan
| | - Nadia Hakim
- Migration Health Unit, International Organization for Migration, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | | | - Roman Naseri
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, International Medical Corps, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Sayed Javid Sadat
- Mental Health and Peacebuilding Program, International Assistance Mission, Herat, Afghanistan
| | | | - Zalmai Shinwari
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, HealthNet TPO, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Rohullah Amin
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Helmut-Schmidt University, Germany
| | - Sayed Azimi
- Independent Mental Health Specialist, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Atal Hewad
- Department of Ipso Academy and Quality Management, International Psychosocial Organisation, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Zeinab Musavi
- Behrawan Research and Psychology Services Organization, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | | | - Martha Bragin
- Silberman School of Social Work, The City University of New York, New York, USA
| | - Wataru Kashino
- Prevention Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michalis Lavdas
- Department of Psychosocial Science, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Inge Missmahl
- International Psychosocial Organisation, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | | | - Sarah Kate van der Walt
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Unit, Première Urgence – Aide Médicale Internationale, Kabul, Afghanistan
| | - Derrick Silove
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
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Chimoriya R, Mohammad Y, Thomson R, Webster C, Dunne R, Aibangbee M, Ip D, Slewa-Younan S. Mental illness stigma and associated factors among Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations in Australia. Int J Ment Health Syst 2023; 17:11. [PMID: 37138317 PMCID: PMC10155307 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-023-00580-z] [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: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations form a significant proportion of Australia's population. Despite high levels of psychological distress among Arabic-speaking populations, low uptake of mental health services has been demonstrated. Evidence suggests poor levels of mental health literacy (MHL) and high levels of stigmatising attitudes among Arabic-speaking populations, which may act as barriers to help-seeking behaviours. This study aimed to explore the relationships between measures of mental illness stigma, socio-demographic factors and psychological distress, as well as to determine the factors associated with MHL (i.e., correct recognition of mental illness and knowledge of causes) among Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations in Australia. METHODS Participants were recruited from non-government organisations in Greater Western Sydney that provided support services to Arabic-speaking migrants and/or refugees. As this study is nested within an interventional pilot study evaluating a culturally tailored MHL program, only the pre-intervention survey responses for 53 participants were utilised. The survey measured key aspects of MHL (i.e., recognition of mental illness, knowledge of causes), levels of psychological distress (using K10 scale), and stigmatising attitudes towards mental illness (using Personal Stigma Subscales and Social Distance Scale). RESULTS The Personal Stigma subscale of 'Dangerous/unpredictable' was strongly positively correlated with participants' K10 psychological distress scores and strongly negatively correlated with years of education completed. There were moderate negative correlations between two Personal Stigma subscales ('Dangerous/unpredictable' and 'I-would-not-tell-anyone') and the length of stay in Australia. Being female was associated with an increase in personal stigma demonstrated by higher scores for 'I-would-not-tell-anyone' subscale than males. Similarly, increase in age was associated with a decrease on scores of the personal stigma 'Dangerous/unpredictable'. CONCLUSIONS While future research with larger sample size are needed, the study findings can be considered as adding to the evidence base on mental illness related stigma in Arabic-speaking populations. Further, this study provides a starting point in developing the rationale for why population sub-group specific interventions are required to address mental illness stigma and improve MHL among Arabic-speaking refugee and migrant populations in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritesh Chimoriya
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Yaser Mohammad
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Russell Thomson
- School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences, Western Sydney University, Penrith, Australia
| | - Cheryl Webster
- Anglicare, Anglican Community Services, Baulkham Hills, Australia
| | - Rachel Dunne
- Anglicare, Anglican Community Services, Baulkham Hills, Australia
| | | | - David Ip
- Anglicare, Anglican Community Services, Baulkham Hills, Australia
| | - Shameran Slewa-Younan
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia.
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia.
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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7
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Nagy E, Herpertz SC, Schohl K, Zehetmair C, Gebhardt N, Friederich HC, Nikendei C. The refugee and asylum seeker mental health treatment screener (RAS-MT-screener): Feasibility and psychometric properties of a questionnaire detecting refugees' and asylum seekers' need and urgency for mental health treatment. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2023; 83:43-50. [PMID: 37099868 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Refugees and asylum seekers are highly vulnerable to the development of mental health problems, yet oftentimes their need is underestimated. We aimed to develop a culturally sensitive screening tool for primary care settings assessing the urgency and need for mental health treatment to close this gap. METHOD Items for the screening tool were selected out of an item pool generated by a group of clinical experts based on the data obtained from n = 307 asylum seekers in a refugee state registration and reception center in Germany. Out of these, n = 111 attended a psychosocial walk-in clinic, and clinicians' ratings of urgency and need for mental health treatment were added. RESULTS The resulting questionnaire comprised 8 items assessing urgency and 13 items assessing need for mental health treatment. Sensitivity was =0.74 and specificity =0.70. Participants of clinical and non-clinical samples differ highly significantly (p < .001). Cross-cultural validity was shown by comparing measurement invariance for different countries of origin. CONCLUSION The RAS-MT-Screener is a clinically and cross-culturally valid screening tool in primary care settings for the urgency and need for mental health treatment with acceptable psychometric properties. Future research on its external and construct validity is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ede Nagy
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sabine C Herpertz
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Katharina Schohl
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Catharina Zehetmair
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Psychiatry, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nadja Gebhardt
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Nikendei
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department for General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Ramos AA. Considerations in designing trauma-focused interventions for displaced Afghan women. Front Glob Womens Health 2023; 3:893957. [PMID: 36909736 PMCID: PMC9996057 DOI: 10.3389/fgwh.2022.893957] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of the 2021 United States military withdrawal from Afghanistan, as well as the humanitarian crises of mass displacement and subsequent health system strain that have ensued, practitioners worldwide will need to develop a more nuanced understanding of the adverse life experiences that women from Afghanistan frequently endorse. As they bear a disproportionate impact of constraints within Afghan society, and as patriarchal systems affect most of their life domains, women from Afghanistan may present with high levels of baseline trauma upon resettlement, and health systems may seek to attenuate this distress; However, the nature of these traumatogenic events may shape women's receptivity to psychosocial interventions, particularly those which are at least partially rooted in Western modalities. In the absence of sufficient literature on evidence-based interventions for this population, a diversity of ethnographic and clinical literature is synthesized, including literature on interventions alleged to be compatible with Afghan norms. As it will be essential to support Afghan women's mental health following social reorganization on a massive scale, considerations arising from the interdisciplinary literature are offered so that they may inform the development of structured, trauma-focused interventions and so that the health systems with which they interface may be better prepared to serve them.
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Hamrah MS, Bartlett L, Jang S, Roccati E, Vickers JC. Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Among Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Australia: A Systematic Review. J Immigr Minor Health 2023; 25:692-711. [PMID: 36652152 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-022-01445-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
While the prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors is understood to be higher among migrants than for people born in host nations, little is known about the dementia risk profile of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. This systematic review examines published literature to understand what is currently reported about 12 identified modifiable risk factors for dementia among migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers residing in Australia. Three literature databases (PubMed/CINAHL/MEDLINE) were systematically searched to find articles reporting excessive alcohol consumption, traumatic brain injury, air pollution, lack of education, hypertension, hearing impairment, smoking, obesity, depression, physical inactivity, diabetes, and limited social contact in Australia's migrant, refugee and asylum seeker population samples. Papers were systematically reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 763 studies were found, of which 676 articles were excluded, and 79 articles remained. Despite wide variability in study design, size and purpose, the prevalence and correlates of modifiable risk factors of dementia appears markedly different among the studied samples. Compared with Australian-born participants, migrant samples had a higher prevalence of depression, social isolation, physical inactivity and diabetes mellitus. Insufficient information or conflicting evidence prevented inference about prevalence and correlates for the remaining dementia risk factors. A better understanding of the prevalence and correlates of modifiable dementia risk factors is needed in Australia's migrant, refugee and asylum seeker populations. This information, together with a deeper understanding of the contextual and cultural contributing factors affecting people who arrive in Australia through differing pathways is needed before preventive interventions can be realistically targeted and sensitively implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shoaib Hamrah
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Larissa Bartlett
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Sunny Jang
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
| | - James C Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 143, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia
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10
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Kurt G, Ventevogel P, Ekhtiari M, Ilkkursun Z, Erşahin M, Akbiyik N, Acarturk C. Estimated prevalence rates and risk factors for common mental health problems among Syrian and Afghan refugees in Türkiye. BJPsych Open 2022; 8:e167. [PMID: 36106400 PMCID: PMC9534906 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2022.573] [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: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Türkiye hosts 4 million refugees and asylum seekers, with Syrians and Afghans being among the largest refugee groups in country. There are limited comparative data on the conflict- and displacement-related experiences of these groups and the relation with mental health status. AIMS To assess the mental health status of Syrians and Afghans in Türkiye, identify risk factors and explore to what extent differences in mental health conditions are related to potentially traumatic events and post-displacement stressors. METHOD Two parallel online survey studies were conducted between April and June 2021 among 798 Syrians and 785 Afghans in Türkiye. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, traumatic events (Harvard Trauma Questionnaire), post-displacement stressors (Post-Migration Living Difficulties Checklist), symptoms of depression and anxiety (Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5, short form). RESULTS For Syrian and Afghan participants respectively, estimated prevalence rates were: 41.1% and 50.3% for depression; 39.6% and 41% for anxiety; and 41.6% and 46.5% for PTSD. In both groups, significant predictors were female gender, exposure to potentially traumatic events, and structural and socioeconomic post-displacement stressors. Additional risk factors were older age for Afghans and higher education for Syrians. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported symptoms of common mental health problems are highly prevalent among Syrian and Afghan refugees and associated with a wide range of risk factors. After controlling for conflict- and displacement-related experiences, Afghans reported higher anxiety symptoms than Syrians, which is likely related to their legal status in Türkiye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulsah Kurt
- Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maryam Ekhtiari
- Department of Sociology and International Relations, Koc University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | | | - Merve Erşahin
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nuriye Akbiyik
- Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Italy
| | - Ceren Acarturk
- Department of Psychology, Koc University, Istanbul, Türkiye
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11
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Haider S, Maheen A, Ansari M, Stolley M. Health Beliefs and Barriers to Healthcare of Rohingya Refugees. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022:10.1007/s40615-022-01342-2. [PMID: 35689155 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-022-01342-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, over 1,000 Rohingya families have been resettled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from areas where they faced trauma and health disparities. To better understand their health beliefs and barriers to healthcare, we conducted a qualitative study with ten community health workers and stakeholders serving the Milwaukee Rohingya community. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Themes included: 1) health is defined as being able to meet basic needs of the family/community; 2) prior and existing mistrust and fear of systems of authority impact healthcare seeking behavior; 3) past-trauma negatively impacts physical and mental health; 4) religion and spirituality influence beliefs about illness, recovery, and wellbeing; 5) linguistic, cultural, and educational barriers impact access, quality of care, and understanding of disease. These results begin to address the significant gap in our knowledge of the health beliefs and needs of the local Rohingya community and underscore the need for tailored interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabi Haider
- Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, US
| | - Aniya Maheen
- Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, US
| | - Moiz Ansari
- Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, US
| | - Melinda Stolley
- Department of Medicine and Cancer Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 W Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, US.
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Professional Mental Health Help-Seeking Amongst Afghan and Iraqi Refugees in Australia: Understanding Predictors Five Years Post Resettlement. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031896. [PMID: 35162916 PMCID: PMC8835451 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The current longitudinal study sought to identify predictors of professional help seeking for mental health problems amongst Afghan and Iraqi refugees five years post-settlement utilising the Building a New Life in Australia dataset (BNLA). Data were collected via face-to-face or phone interviews across five waves from October 2013 to March 2018. Afghan and Iraqi born refugees numbering 1180 and over 18 years of age with a permanent humanitarian visa were included in this study. The results suggest differences in help-seeking behaviors amongst the two ethnic groups. Amongst the Afghan sample, older adults with high psychological distress were more likely to seek help, while living in regional Australia, not requiring interpreters, and knowing how to find out information about government services were related to lower likelihood of help-seeking. Within the Iraqi sample, poor overall health and knowing how to find out about services were related to a greater likelihood of help-seeking, while fewer financial hardships decreased the likelihood of help-seeking. Amongst those with probable PTSD, disability was associated with an increased likelihood of help-seeking while experiencing fewer financial hardships and living in regional Australia resulted in a lower likelihood of help-seeking in this group. These results have implications for promotional material and mental health interventions, suggesting that more integrated services tailored to specific characteristics of ethnic groups are needed.
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13
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Brea Larios D, Sandal GM, Guribye E, Markova V, Sam DL. Explanatory models of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among Afghan refugees in Norway. BMC Psychol 2022; 10:5. [PMID: 34983663 PMCID: PMC8728976 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-021-00709-0] [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: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The current situation in Afghanistan makes it likely that we are facing a new wave of Afghan refugees, warranting more knowledge about how to deal with mental health problems among them. This study aims to gain more knowledge on Explanatory Models (EM) of depression and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) among Afghan refugees resettled in Norway.
Methods We conducted six gender-separated, semi-structured focusgroup interviews based on vignettes with Afghan refugees (total N = 27). The vignettes described a fictional character with symptoms of either depression or PTSD symptoms in line with DSM-5 and ICD-10 criteria.
Results The findings showed that EM varied with gender, age, generation, and migration stories. Participants suggested different potential causes, risk factors, and ways of managing symptoms of depression and PTSD depending on the context (e.g., in Norway vs. Afghanistan). In describing the causes of the depression/PTSD in the vignettes, females tended to emphasize domestic problems and gender issues while males focused more on acculturation challenges. The younger males discussed mostly traumatic experiences before and during flight as possible causes. Conclusion The practice of condensing a single set of EMs within a group may not only be analytically challenging in a time-pressed clinical setting but also misleading. Rather, we advocate asking empathic questions and roughly mapping individual refugee patients’ perceptions on causes and treatment as a better starting point for building trusting relationships and inviting patients to share and put into practice their expertise about their own lives. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40359-021-00709-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dixie Brea Larios
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies Gate 12, Postboks 7807, 5015, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Gro Mjeldheim Sandal
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies Gate 12, Postboks 7807, 5015, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Valeria Markova
- Department of Pulmonology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - David Lackland Sam
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Christies Gate 12, Postboks 7807, 5015, Bergen, Norway
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A Mental Health Profile of 900 Newly Arrived Refugees in Denmark Using ICD-10 Diagnoses. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su14010418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Recognizing mental health problems in newly arrived refugees poses a challenge. Little is known of the mental health profile of refugees currently arriving in Northern Europe. (2) Method: In total, we included 900 adult (≥18 years old) refugees arriving in Aarhus, Denmark, between 1 January 2014 and 1 January 2020. All participants accepted an offer of a voluntary systematic health assessment from the municipality in Aarhus, including a mental health screening. (3) Results: Within this cohort, 26% (237/900) of the participants were referred to the Department of Psychiatry, Aarhus University Hospital, 24% (212/900) were in contact with the department and 21% (185/900) received ≥1 psychiatric diagnosis. Within the subpopulation referred (n = 237), 64% (152/237) were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (DF431), 14% (34/237) with neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders (F40–F48) and 13% (30/237) with major mood disorders (F30–F39). Among the participants referred to the Department of Psychiatry and participants receiving a diagnosis, we found an overrepresentation of participants originating from the Southern Asian region (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran) and with an age above 44 years. (4) Conclusion: We found a high prevalence of both referrals and psychiatric diagnoses in newly arrived refugees. Attention to psychiatric conditions in refugees and systematic health assessments during resettlement are needed.
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Kaptan SK, Varese F, Yilmaz B, Andriopoulou P, Husain N. Protocol of a feasibility trial for an online group parenting intervention with an integrated mental health component for parent refugees and asylum-seekers in the United Kingdom: (LTP + EMDR G-TEP). SAGE Open Med 2021; 9:20503121211067861. [PMID: 34992783 PMCID: PMC8724986 DOI: 10.1177/20503121211067861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Conflicts expose families to a range of factors that could have a negative impact upon parental mental health which in turn leads to poor growth and development of children. Early support can improve parental mental health and parenting behaviours but currently, there is a lack of evidence on parenting interventions for forcibly displaced populations. This study aims to deliver an online parenting intervention with a mental health component for refugee and asylum-seeker parents to evaluate its feasibility and acceptability. METHODS This is a single-arm trial without a control group. The trial aims to recruit 14 refugee and asylum-seeker parents into an Online Learning Through Play and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (LTP + EMDR G-TEP). The intervention will be delivered by trained research team members using online platforms. RESULTS The participants' sense of parenting competence, symptoms of traumatic stress, anxiety and depression will be measured at baseline and post-intervention. Semi-structured interviews at post-intervention will also be conducted. DISCUSSION This study will assess the feasibility and inform the design of a future randomized controlled trial which aims to evaluate the effectiveness of LTP + EMDR G-TEP intervention for parent refugees and asylum-seekers with young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safa Kemal Kaptan
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Filippo Varese
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Betul Yilmaz
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Nusrat Husain
- School of Health Sciences, Division of Psychology and Mental Health, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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16
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Saberi S, Wachtler C, Lau P. Are we on the same page? Mental health literacy and access to care: a qualitative study in young Hazara refugees in Melbourne. Aust J Prim Health 2021; 27:450-455. [PMID: 34802509 DOI: 10.1071/py21017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Hazaras, mostly aged <30 years, constituted the greatest number of people resettled under Australia's migration resettlement between 2009 and 2013. This group is at high risk of mental health issues due to pre- and post-forced migration experiences. This study explored the understanding of mental health and barriers to accessing primary mental health care in young Hazara refugees in Melbourne. Seventeen Hazaras aged 18-30 years were recruited for two sex-segregated focus groups; two individual semistructured interviews were also conducted (with one male and one female participant). Discussions were audiotaped, transcribed and analysed thematically. Participants had varied perspectives on mental health issues stemming from historical and current beliefs. Lack of knowledge and concerns over confidentiality within Hazaras were considered major barriers to seeking help. Community education through existing community groups and through the women could potentially help overcome barriers to mental health access by young Hazaras.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahema Saberi
- Deparment of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; and Corresponding author.
| | - Caroline Wachtler
- Karolinska Institutet Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care, Sweden
| | - Phyllis Lau
- Deparment of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; and School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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17
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Stein J, Niemeyer H, Meyer C, Wirz C, Eiling A, Gruzman R, Heeke C, Stammel N, Knaevelsrud C. Posttraumatic stress in adult civilians exposed to violent conflict, war and associated human rights abuses in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2021; 294:605-627. [PMID: 34332362 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.06.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is the stage of the world's most violent conflicts and the origin of the largest refugee population worldwide. These conflicts can result in symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS). To date, no comprehensive meta-analysis on proportions of PTS in civilians from the EMR has been conducted. Sample characteristics, methodological, conflict-related and displacement-related factors might affect rates of PTS. METHODS A systematic literature search for studies investigating PTS in adult civilians from the EMR was conducted until March 2020 and resulted in 118 individual study samples that were suitable for inclusion. A quality assessment was conducted. A random effects meta-analysis on proportions and sensitivity analyses were performed, and a 95% prediction interval was calculated. Subgroup analyses to identify moderators (e.g. diagnostic instruments, displacement) were conducted. RESULTS The quality of the included study samples varied. The pooled estimate of proportions from all 118 study samples was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.27 - 0.35). Heterogeneity was considerable (Q = 10151.58, p < .0001; I2 = 98.64%). The prediction interval was 0.01 to 0.76. The results remained unchanged after excluding nine outlier study samples. Heterogeneity remained high in all subgroups (range of I2: 87.91 to 99.62). LIMITATIONS Due to heterogeneity the pooled estimate cannot be interpreted. Moderators contributing to heterogeneity could not be detected. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of symptoms of PTS in civilians from the EMR varies considerably. The prediction interval indicates that the true rate falls between 1% and 76%. Future studies need to identify variables that affect heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Stein
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Helen Niemeyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Caroline Meyer
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christina Wirz
- Division of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Rebecca Gruzman
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carina Heeke
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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18
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P Iqbal M, Walpola R, Harris-Roxas B, Li J, Mears S, Hall J, Harrison R. Improving primary health care quality for refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review of interventional approaches. Health Expect 2021; 25:2065-2094. [PMID: 34651378 PMCID: PMC9615090 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been widely acknowledged that refugees are at risk of poorer health outcomes, spanning mental health and general well‐being. A common point of access to health care for the migrant population is via the primary health care network in the country of resettlement. This review aims to synthesize the evidence of primary health care interventions to improve the quality of health care provided to refugees and asylum seekers. Methods A systematic review was undertaken, and 55 articles were included in the final review. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews was used to guide the reporting of the review, and articles were managed using a reference‐management software (Covidence). The findings were analysed using a narrative empirical synthesis. A quality assessment was conducted for all the studies included. Results The interventions within the broad primary care setting could be organized into four categories, that is, those that focused on developing the skills of individual refugees/asylum seekers and their families; skills of primary health care workers; system and/or service integration models and structures; and lastly, interventions enhancing communication services. Promoting effective health care delivery for refugees, asylum seekers and their families is a complex challenge faced by primary care professionals, the patients themselves and the communication between them. Conclusion This review highlights the innovative interventions in primary care promoting refugee health. Primary care interventions mostly focused on upskilling doctors, with a paucity of research exploring the involvement of other health care members. Further research can explore the involvement of interprofessional team members in providing effective refugee/migrant health. Patient or Public Contribution Patient and public involvement was explored in terms of interventions designed to improve health care delivery for the humanitarian migrant population, that is, specifically refugees and asylum seekers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha P Iqbal
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ramesh Walpola
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ben Harris-Roxas
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,South Eastern Sydney Research Collaboration Hub (SEaRCH), Population and Community Health, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jiadai Li
- School of Population Health, UNSW Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Stephen Mears
- Hunter New England Medical Library, New Lambton, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Hall
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Reema Harrison
- Centre for Health Systems and Safety Research, Australian Institute of Health Innovation; Level 6, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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19
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Spanhel K, Balci S, Feldhahn F, Bengel J, Baumeister H, Sander LB. Cultural adaptation of internet- and mobile-based interventions for mental disorders: a systematic review. NPJ Digit Med 2021; 4:128. [PMID: 34433875 PMCID: PMC8387403 DOI: 10.1038/s41746-021-00498-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Providing accessible and effective healthcare solutions for people living in low- and middle-income countries, migrants, and indigenous people is central to reduce the global mental health treatment gap. Internet- and mobile-based interventions (IMI) are considered scalable psychological interventions to reduce the burden of mental disorders and are culturally adapted for implementation in these target groups. In October 2020, the databases PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies that culturally adapted IMI for mental disorders. Among 9438 screened records, we identified 55 eligible articles. We extracted 17 content, methodological, and procedural components of culturally adapting IMI, aiming to consider specific situations and perspectives of the target populations. Adherence and effectiveness of the adapted IMI seemed similar to the original IMI; yet, no included study conducted a direct comparison. The presented taxonomy of cultural adaptation of IMI for mental disorders provides a basis for future studies investigating the relevance and necessity of their cultural adaptation.PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019142320.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Spanhel
- Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Sumeyye Balci
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Felicitas Feldhahn
- Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Juergen Bengel
- Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Harald Baumeister
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Lasse B Sander
- Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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20
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Blignault I, Saab H, Woodland L, O’Callaghan C. Cultivating mindfulness: evaluation of a community-based mindfulness program for Arabic-speaking women in Australia. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02146-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractArabic-speaking communities in Australia underutilise mental health services. Previous research with Arabic-speakers recruited individually demonstrated that an Arabic Mindfulness Compact Disc (CD) was an acceptable and useful resource for this group. Subsequently, the CD was introduced as part of a 5-week group mindfulness program for Arabic-speaking Muslim women. The intervention was delivered in a community setting by a bilingual (Arabic/English) psychologist with support from a bilingual multicultural health worker. The mixed-methods evaluation incorporated a pre–post study with a wait-list control group. An Arabic translation of the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS21) was administered at baseline and program completion. Pre–post differences were tested using the sign test for paired samples (one-sided). Qualitative methods were used to evaluate the program’s acceptability. After five weeks, the intervention group showed statistically significant improvement on all DASS21 subscales (n = 12, p < .001 for depression and stress and p < .01 for anxiety). For the wait-list control group, only anxiety showed significant improvement (n = 8, p < .05). Qualitative analysis revealed how the women grew in their understanding of mindfulness concepts and mastered the different techniques, how they dealt with painful memories, how mindfulness practice assisted them in their daily lives, and how they related mindfulness to Islam. The in-language mindfulness intervention was shown to be culturally and spiritually relevant, and clinically effective. The group program incorporating the Arabic Mindfulness CD has potential for scaling up. Further research is required to investigate effectiveness for Arabic-speaking men with similar backgrounds.
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21
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Hamrah MS, Hoang H, Mond J, Pahlavanzade B, Charkazi A, Auckland S. Occurrence and correlates of depressive symptoms among the resettled Afghan refugees in a regional area of Australia. Early Interv Psychiatry 2021; 15:463-470. [PMID: 32243096 DOI: 10.1111/eip.12957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Refugees and asylum seekers are at high risk of mental health problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Elucidating the occurrence and correlates of these problems in specific resettled refugee populations may be helpful in informing tailored prevention and health promotion programs. We sought to elucidate the occurrence and correlates of depressive symptoms among Afghan refugees resettled in Launceston, a regional town of Australia. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 66 resettled Afghan refugees residing in Launceston in April 2019. We used the Hopkins symptoms checklist (HSCL-25) and the post migration living difficulties scale (PMLD) to measure depression symptoms and post-migration variables, respectively. Demographic characteristics and levels of physical activity were also assessed. Multivariate analysis was used to examine factors associated with depressive symptoms. RESULTS High levels of depressive symptoms were reported by 21.2% of participants (95% CI: 12.1%-33.0%) and were more common among female participants (41.2%, 95% CI: 18.4%-67.1%) than male participants (14.3%, 95% CI: 5.9%-27.2%). Isolation (loneliness, being or feeling alone) (OR = 19.5, 95% CI: 1.9-203.5) and physical inactivity (OR = 9.2, 95% CI: 1.8-45.8) were the only variables independently associated with depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Depressive symptoms were common among Afghan refugees living in Launceston, particularly women, and were associated with isolation and physical inactivity. Hence these factors might usefully be targeted in local health promotion and prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shoaib Hamrah
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Ha Hoang
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Jonathan Mond
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Bagher Pahlavanzade
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdurrahman Charkazi
- Environmental Health Research Center, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Stuart Auckland
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
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22
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Rosenberg J, Leung JK, Harris K, Abdullah A, Rohbar A, Brown C, Rosenthal MS. Recently-Arrived Afghan Refugee Parents' Perspectives About Parenting, Education and Pediatric Medical and Mental Health Care Services. J Immigr Minor Health 2021; 24:481-488. [PMID: 33934263 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-021-01206-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Refugee children are at risk for mental/behavioral health problems but may not receive timely diagnosis or care. Parental experiences and perspectives about resources in the US may help guide interventions to improve mental/behavioral health care. In a community-academic partnership, we performed a qualitative study of recently-arrived Afghan refugee parents, using in-depth, semi-structured interviews to characterize experiences with parenting, education, and health care services. A four-person coding team identified, described, and refined themes. We interviewed 19 parents from ten families, with a median residence in the US of 24 months. Four themes emerged; parents described: (1) shifting focus as safety needs changed, (2) acculturation stress, (3) adjustment to an emerging US support system, and (4) appreciation of an engaged health care system. Health and educational providers' appreciation for the process of acculturation among newly-arrived refugee Afghan families may facilitate screening, diagnostic, and intervention strategies to improve care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Rosenberg
- Yale National Clinician Scholars Program, PO Box 208088, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | | | - Kristin Harris
- Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Arzoo Rohbar
- Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Camille Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marjorie S Rosenthal
- Yale National Clinician Scholars Program, PO Box 208088, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Yale Medical School, New Haven, CT, USA
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Khan S, Haque S. Trauma, mental health, and everyday functioning among Rohingya refugee people living in short- and long-term resettlements. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2021; 56:497-512. [PMID: 33015727 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-020-01962-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study investigated if Rohingya refugee people resettled in camps in rural Bangladesh and urban locations in Malaysia had different levels of trauma, mental health and everyday functioning. The study also examined if direct and indirect exposure to traumatic events could predict PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety, and everyday functioning in the two groups separately. An attempt was also made to see if the relations between trauma and mental health were different across the two settings. METHODS This was a cross-sectional study, for which we conveniently recruited 100 adult Rohingyas, 50 from each country; the majority was males. Rohingyas in Bangladesh fled Myanmar's Rakhine State following a major military crackdown in 2017, whereas Rohingyas in Malaysia fled Rakhine gradually over the last three decades because of recurrent violence and military operations. We assessed trauma (cumulative trauma, direct trauma, and indirect trauma), PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety, and everyday functioning of the participants using traumatic event questionnaire, PTSD-8, PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHODAS-2.0. RESULTS The Bangladeshi cohort experienced more types of traumatic events (i.e., cumulative trauma) than did the Malaysian cohort (d = 0.58). Although the two cohorts did not differ in terms of indirect exposure to traumatic incidents (i.e., indirect trauma), the Malaysian cohort had direct exposure to traumatic events (i.e., direct trauma) more frequently than did the Bangladeshi cohort (d = 1.22). The Bangladeshi cohort showed higher PTSD (d = 1.67), depression (d = 0.81), generalized anxiety (d = 1.49), and functional impairment (d = 2.51) than those in Malaysia. Hierarchical linear regression analyses showed that after controlling for demographic variables, both direct and indirect trauma significantly predicted PTSD, depression, and functional impairment among Rohingyas in Bangladesh, with direct trauma being the stronger predictor. However, similar analyses showed that only indirect trauma predicted PTSD among Rohingyas in Malaysia, while all other effects were nonsignificant. The results also showed that the predictive relationship between direct trauma and PTSD was different across the two countries. With the same level of direct trauma, a participant from Malaysia would score 0.256 points lower in PTSD than a participant from Bangladesh. CONCLUSION The recently experienced direct and indirect trauma have impaired mental health and everyday functioning among the Bangladeshi cohort. However, only indirect trauma was active to cause PTSD in the Malaysian cohort as direct trauma was weakening due to the time elapsed since migration. We discuss the results in the context of the current theories of trauma and mental health and suggest therapeutic interventions for the refugee population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjida Khan
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia
| | - Shamsul Haque
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor DE, Malaysia.
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Due C, Green E, Ziersch A. Psychological trauma and access to primary healthcare for people from refugee and asylum-seeker backgrounds: a mixed methods systematic review. Int J Ment Health Syst 2020; 14:71. [PMID: 32944067 PMCID: PMC7488556 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00404-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several reviews have found that psychological trauma affects access to health care services, including mental health care, in the general population. People from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds are more likely to have a mental illness than the general population, and experience a broad range of barriers and facilitators to service access. However, to date there has been no comprehensive consideration of the potential effect of psychological trauma on access to primary health care within this population. Methods This paper provides a mixed-methods systematic review of literature which included any consideration of the relationship between psychological trauma and access to primary health care. A systematic search of Medline, PsychInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL and Cochrane Library was conducted. Study eligibility criteria were empirical, peer-reviewed studies that considered the relationship between psychological trauma and access to, or use of, primary healthcare in resettlement countries for refugees (including asylum seekers). Papers were required to be written in English and published between 1998 and August 2019. Quality was assessed using the Multi-Methods Appraisal Tool. The search identified a total of 14 eligible studies (11 quantitative and 3 qualitative) which had explored this relationship in refugee and asylum seeker populations. Results Overall, synthesis of findings indicated variable results with respect to the impact of psychological trauma on service access. Specifically, the review found that while rates of psychological trauma were high. Key themes were that while general health care access was comparable or greater than the general population, rates of mental healthcare specifically were low. In addition, included papers identified a range of barriers to service access-particularly somatisation, stigma and healthcare provide knowledge about psychological trauma. Conclusions While there is a critical need for more research in this area, the study points to several key recommendations including training of general practitioners in relation to psychological trauma, ensuring culturally responsive services, and the use of interpreters. Finally, due to the levels of somatisation found in some studies, ensuring general practitioners understand the somatic element of psychological trauma-particularly within some groups of people from refugee backgrounds-is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clemence Due
- School of Psychology, North Terrace, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, 5001 Australia
| | - Erin Green
- The Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, 5001 Australia
| | - Anna Ziersch
- The Southgate Institute for Health, Society and Equity, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, 5001 Australia
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Slewa-Younan S, Guajardo MGU, Mohammad Y, Lim H, Martinez G, Saleh R, Sapucci M. An evaluation of a mental health literacy course for Arabic speaking religious and community leaders in Australia: effects on posttraumatic stress disorder related knowledge, attitudes and help-seeking. Int J Ment Health Syst 2020; 14:69. [PMID: 32843895 PMCID: PMC7441643 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00401-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Australia is an ethnically diverse nation with one of the largest refugee resettlement programs worldwide, including high numbers of refugees with an Arabic speaking background. Evidence suggests that refugees can demonstrate high levels of psychological distress and are at a higher risk of developing mental illness such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Notwithstanding, research has also shown Arabic speaking refugees have lower levels of professional help-seeking behaviours, postulated to be related to mental health literacy levels. Methods A culturally sensitive mental health literacy (MHL) training program was developed and delivered in Arabic to Arabic speaking religious and community leaders using a 1-day training workshop format. An uncontrolled pre-, and post study design was used to provide a preliminary evaluation of improvement in PTSD-related knowledge, attitudes and help-seeking measures. Results A total of 54 adults were trained, with 52 completing the pre- and post-intervention questionnaire. Significant differences were found post-training in measures such as the ability to recognise mental health problems (p = 0.035) and an increased recognition of the role that medication can play in the treatment of PTSD (p = 0.00). Further, an improvement in negative attitudes such as a desire for social distance (p = 0.042) was noted and participants reported more helpful strategies in line with promoting professional help-seeking following training (p = 0.032). Conclusion Our findings indicated the training led to an improvement of some measures of MHL. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the MHL program has been tailored for Arabic speaking religious and community leaders; who assist refugees with an Arabic background. By equipping community leaders with the knowledge to better respond to mental health problems, the overall goal of improving the mental health outcomes of Arabic speaking refugee communities is closer to being realised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameran Slewa-Younan
- Mental Health, Translational Health Research Institute, Macarthur Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797 Penrith, Sydney, NSW 2751 Australia.,Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Maria Gabriela Uribe Guajardo
- Mental Health, Translational Health Research Institute, Macarthur Clinical School, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797 Penrith, Sydney, NSW 2751 Australia
| | - Yaser Mohammad
- School of Medicine, Research Officer, Mental Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Henry Lim
- Mental Wellbeing, Health Promotion Service, Population Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gabriela Martinez
- Mental Wellbeing, Health Promotion Service, Population Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Randa Saleh
- Adult Mental Health Team, Bankstown Community Mental Health, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michele Sapucci
- Mental Health Promotion, Prevention & Early Intervention, Transcultural Mental Health Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Australia
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Alwan RM, Schumacher DJ, Cicek-Okay S, Jernigan S, Beydoun A, Salem T, Vaughn LM. Beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors impacting healthcare utilization of Syrian refugee children. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237081. [PMID: 32764783 PMCID: PMC7413502 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately 18,000 Syrian refugees have resettled to the United States. Half of these refugees are children, whose age and refugee status jeopardize their abilities to attain quality healthcare. Information on Syrian refugees' health in the U.S. is limited. This qualitative study sought to explore Syrian refugee parents' beliefs, perspectives, and practices regarding their children's health through in-depth interviews. METHODS Eighteen Syrian refugee parents residing in Cincinnati, Ohio were interviewed in Arabic by bilingual researchers using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated. Three members of the research team independently coded each interview using an inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS Analysis identified four salient themes: stressors preclude health seeking behaviors, parents perceive health barriers, parents are dissatisfied with the healthcare system, and parents use resilience behaviors to overcome barriers. Stressors included poor housing and neighborhoods, reliving traumatic experiences, depression and anxiety, and social isolation. Dissatisfaction included emergency room wait times, lack of testing and prescriptions. Health barriers included missed appointments and inadequate transportation, translation services, health literacy and care coordination. Parents reported resilience through faith, by seeking knowledge, use of natural remedies, and utilizing community resources. CONCLUSION This qualitative study provides information on the beliefs, practices, and behaviors of Syrian refugee parents related to health care utilization of pediatric refugees in the United States. Psychosocial and environmental stressors as well as perceived systemic health barriers, hinder health seeking behaviors in Syrian refugee parents. Culturally relevant care targeting perceived barriers and incorporating resilience behaviors may improve parental satisfaction and parental health seeking behaviors. Further study is needed to implement and evaluate interventions that target identified barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riham M. Alwan
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Daniel J. Schumacher
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Sevsem Cicek-Okay
- College of Arts and Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Sarah Jernigan
- College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Ahmed Beydoun
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Tasnim Salem
- Independent Consultant, Dallas, TX, United States of America
| | - Lisa M. Vaughn
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
- College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
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Slewa-Younan S, McKenzie M, Thomson R, Smith M, Mohammad Y, Mond J. Improving the mental wellbeing of Arabic speaking refugees: an evaluation of a mental health promotion program. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:314. [PMID: 32552878 PMCID: PMC7301457 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02732-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugee populations have particularly high rates of mental health problems, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression. However, uptake of mental health care may be low even when severe depression and PTSD symptoms are present in individuals following resettlement. This is likely due, at least in part, to cultural influences on refugees' knowledge and beliefs about mental health problems and their treatment. We sought to provide preliminary evidence for the effectiveness of a culturally tailored mental health promotion program for Arabic-speaking refugees. METHODS A total of 33 Arabic-speaking refugees resettled in South Western Sydney were recruited and completed intervention which consisted of weekly three-hour sessions for 4 weeks delivered in Arabic. Key aspects of mental health literacy, help-seeking intentions and levels of general psychological distress were assessed, by means of a self-report survey, pre-intervention, (immediately) post-intervention and 3 months following intervention. RESULTS Of the 33 participants that completed the intervention, 31 completed the immediate post-intervention survey and 29 completed the 3 months follow-up survey. Improvements in most aspects of mental health literacy assessed were found immediately post-intervention and at follow-up, although only changes relating to stigmatising attitudes were statistically significant. Additionally, a statistically significant decrease in participants' levels of general psychological distress was observed immediately following the intervention, and this decrease was sustained at follow-up. CONCLUSION While further research employing a more rigorous study design and larger sample size will be needed, results of this initial trial suggest that a culturally tailored mental health promotion program targeting key aspects of mental health literacy can improve the mental health of Arabic-speaking refugees resettled in a Western nation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameran Slewa-Younan
- Mental Health, Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine, Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia. .,Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. .,Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia.
| | - Molly McKenzie
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Russell Thomson
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mitchell Smith
- grid.410692.80000 0001 2105 7653NSW Refugee Health Service, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW Australia
| | - Yaser Mohammad
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Jonathan Mond
- grid.1029.a0000 0000 9939 5719Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia ,grid.1009.80000 0004 1936 826XCentre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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28
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Ahmad F, Othman N, Lou W. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Social Support and Coping Among Afghan Refugees in Canada. Community Ment Health J 2020; 56:597-605. [PMID: 31832819 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-019-00518-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) is one of the common mental health conditions among Afghan refugees resettled in developed countries. The current study explores how social support, coping and other factors correlate with PTSD in this population. A survey was conducted with 49 adult Afghan refugees (males 41%, female 59%) who completed Harvard Trauma Questionnaire during their visit to a Community Health Centre in Toronto. Bivariate analysis and structural-equation-modeling (SEM) were used to examine associations and pathways between PTSD and other variables. Mean PTSD score was 2.53 (SD 0.92) with 53% showing symptoms of PTSD which was significantly associated with age, unemployment, social support and self-rated health. SEM showed that higher social support scores were significantly associated with lower PTSD scores, and the effect of coping and English language were mediated through social support. The high prevalence of PTSD, its association with social support and self-rated health are important issues to be considered for refugee resettlement programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farah Ahmad
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, 4700 Keele Street, HNES Building, Rm 414, Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Nasih Othman
- School of Health Policy and Management, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wendy Lou
- Biostatistics Division, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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29
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Hamrah MS, Hoang H, Mond J, Pahlavanzade B, Charkazi A, Auckland S. The prevalence and correlates of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among resettled Afghan refugees in a regional area of Australia. J Ment Health 2020; 30:674-680. [PMID: 32223476 DOI: 10.1080/09638237.2020.1739247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among resettled refugee populations and may be particularly problematic for refugees who have resettled in rural and regional areas.Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence and correlates of PTSD among Afghan refugees resettled in a regional area of Australia, namely, Launceston, Tasmania.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 66 resettled Afghan refugees living in Launceston using the Post Migration Living Difficulties Scale (PMLD) and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Descriptive statistics and multivariable analysis of variables associated with a probable diagnosis of PTSD were conducted.Results: Approximately half of participants 48.8% (95% CI: 36.0-61.1%) met an operational definition of probable PTSD diagnosis according to the IES-R. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, communication difficulties (OR = 14.6, 95% CI: 1.7-124.7), separation from family (OR = 9.9, 95% CI: 1.8-55.5), and self-recognition of a mental health problem (OR = 13.8, 95% CI: 2.4-80.0) were strongly and independently associated with probable PTSD diagnosis. While most participants (81.2%) with a probable PTSD diagnosis recognised that they had a mental health problem, less than half (46.9%) had sought professional help for such a problem.Conclusions: The findings suggest that there are high rates of PTSD, and relatively low uptake of mental health care by sufferers, among resettled Afghan refugees in the regional area of Launceston, Australia. Factors that might usefully be targeted in health promotion, prevention and early intervention program include communication difficulties, issues of family separation and isolation and aspects of "mental health literacy" likely to detract from help-seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shoaib Hamrah
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Ha Hoang
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
| | - Jonathan Mond
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia.,School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, Australia
| | - Bagher Pahlavanzade
- Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdurrahman Charkazi
- Environmental Health Research Center, Faculty of Health, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Stuart Auckland
- Center for Rural Health, School of Health Sciences, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
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30
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Kiselev N, Pfaltz M, Haas F, Schick M, Kappen M, Sijbrandij M, De Graaff AM, Bird M, Hansen P, Ventevogel P, Fuhr DC, Schnyder U, Morina N. Structural and socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2020; 11:1717825. [PMID: 32128044 PMCID: PMC7034440 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1717825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Due to their experiences of major stressful life events, including post-displacement stressors, refugees and asylum seekers are vulnerable to developing mental health problems. Yet, despite the availability of specialized mental health services in Western European host countries, refugees and asylum seekers display low mental healthcare utilization. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore structural and socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental healthcare among Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland. Method: In this qualitative study, key-informant (KI) interviews with Syrian refugees and asylum seekers, Swiss healthcare providers and other stakeholders (e.g. refugee coordinators or leaders) were conducted in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Participants were recruited using snowball sampling. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed, and then analysed using thematic analysis, combining deductive and inductive coding. Results: Findings show that Syrian refugees and asylum seekers face multiple structural and socio-cultural barriers, with socio-cultural barriers being perceived as more pronounced. Syrian key informants, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders identified language, gatekeeper-associated problems, lack of resources, lack of awareness, fear of stigma and a mismatch between the local health system and perceived needs of Syrian refugees and asylum seekers as key barriers to accessing care. Conclusions: The results show that for Syrian refugees and asylum seekers in Switzerland several barriers exist. This is in line with previous findings. A possible solution for the current situation might be to increase the agility of the service system in general and to improve the willingness to embrace innovative paths, rather than adapting mental healthcare services regarding single barriers and needs of a new target population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Kiselev
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Monique Pfaltz
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Florence Haas
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthis Schick
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marie Kappen
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne M De Graaff
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Amsterdam Public Health Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martha Bird
- Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pernille Hansen
- Reference Centre for Psychosocial Support, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniela C Fuhr
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Naser Morina
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Kindermann D, Zeyher V, Nagy E, Friederich HC, Bozorgmehr K, Nikendei C. Predictors of Asylum Seekers' Health Care Utilization in the Early Phase of Resettlement. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:475. [PMID: 32581865 PMCID: PMC7295117 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asylum seekers display high prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and panic disorder due to pre-, peri-, and post-migration stressors. In contrast to the high mental health burden, health care utilization among asylum seekers in the early phase of resettlement is low. However, the early stages after migration are a particularly vulnerable phase in which psychosocial support measures are needed to prevent mental disorders from becoming chronic. OBJECTIVE To identify predictors of asylum seekers' health care utilization in the early stages of resettlement. METHODS Using hierarchical logistic regression analysis, the variance explanation of the (1) general utilization of health care services as well as the individual utilization of (2) outpatient psychiatrists, (3) counselling centers, and (4) general practitioners was analyzed in n = 65 asylum seekers. A structured interview on health care utilization took place between three to five months after assessment of possible predictors. We defined the following three groups of predictors a) the sociodemographic variables gender, age, number of children, religion, language proficiency, b) the psychological variables sense of coherence and emotion regulation as well as c) the asylum seekers' psychiatric diagnoses. RESULTS Individual sociodemographic factors, such as gender, age, and number of children as well as the emotion regulation strategy of expressive suppression and sense of coherence were shown to be predictive for the utilization of health care services among asylum seekers. CONCLUSIONS Low-threshold, culture-sensitive treatment offers for asylum seekers should be established in the early phase after migration. General practitioners should be a central hub for further referrals to disorder-specific treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kindermann
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valentina Zeyher
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ede Nagy
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christoph Nikendei
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Slewa-Younan S, Rioseco P, Guajardo MGU, Mond J. Predictors of professional help-seeking for emotional problems in Afghan and Iraqi refugees in Australia: findings from the Building a New Life in Australia Database. BMC Public Health 2019; 19:1485. [PMID: 31703660 PMCID: PMC6839102 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-019-7673-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health outcomes due to exposure to pre migration trauma and post migration stressors. Research has demonstrated evidence to suggest that the professional help-seeking among refugee groups is low or problematic. This study seeks to examine help-seeking for emotional problems in two large samples of Iraqi and Afghan refugees in Australia. METHODS This study uses data from two waves of the Building a New Life in Australia, the longitudinal study of Humanitarian migrants. The data was collected face-to-face between 2013 and 2016, among humanitarian migrants. All participants held a permanent protection visa and had arrived in Australia or been granted their visa between period of May to December 2013. The study sample included 1288 participants born in Iraq and Afghanistan (aged 15 and over). In the Wave 3 interview (2015-2016) participants reported on professional help received to deal with emotional problems. RESULTS Approximately 36 and 37% of the Iraqi and Afghan groups respectively, reported seeking help for emotional problems. Within the Iraqi group, associations between mental health status, namely general psychological distress and PTSD and help-seeking were found but this was not present in the Afghan group, where age seemed to play a role in help-seeking. Frequency of help received was low with approximately 47% of the Iraqi and 57% of the Afghan groups reporting having received help 5 times or less in the last 12 months. CONCLUSIONS Findings from this study provide clear directions on areas where culturally tailored mental health promotion programs should target in these two refugee communities. Further, the differences in help-seeking behaviour of these communities should be noted by both clinicians and policy makers as efforts to provide culturally responsive mental health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shameran Slewa-Younan
- Mental Health, Translational Health Research Institute, School of Medicine and Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
- Research Officer, Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Pilar Rioseco
- Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Jonathan Mond
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
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Byrow Y, Pajak R, McMahon T, Rajouria A, Nickerson A. Barriers to Mental Health Help-Seeking Amongst Refugee Men. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16152634. [PMID: 31344781 PMCID: PMC6696447 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Rates of help-seeking for mental health problems are low amongst refugee communities, despite the high prevalence of PTSD reported amongst these individuals. Research suggests that the key barriers to seeking help for psychological problems include structural barriers (e.g., unstable housing), cultural barriers (e.g., mental health stigma), and barriers specific to refugees and asylum seekers (e.g., visa status). This study examined the effect of structural, cultural and refugee specific barriers on the relationship between PTSD symptom severity and intentions to seek help from professional, social, and community sources. Data was collected from 103 male refugees and asylum seekers with an Arabic-, Farsi-, or Tamil-speaking background. Participants completed measures indexing demographics, trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms, mental health stigma, and help-seeking intentions. Path analyses indicated that PTSD severity was associated with lower help-seeking intentions indirectly via mental health stigma (self-stigma for seeking help and self-stigma for PTSD) and visa security. PTSD severity was also associated with greater help-seeking intentions from community members indirectly via structural barriers. These findings are important to consider when identifying key barriers to mental health help-seeking and developing interventions designed to increase help-seeking for psychological problems, within this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulisha Byrow
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Rosanna Pajak
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Tadgh McMahon
- Settlement Services International, Sydney, NSW 2131, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
| | | | - Angela Nickerson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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34
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Nikendei C, Kindermann D, Brandenburg-Ceynowa H, Derreza-Greeven C, Zeyher V, Junne F, Friederich HC, Bozorgmehr K. Asylum seekers' mental health and treatment utilization in a three months follow-up study after transfer from a state registration-and reception-center in Germany. Health Policy 2019; 123:864-872. [PMID: 31345581 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Even though asylum seekers show a high prevalence of trauma-related disorders and comorbid psychological stress symptoms, little is known about how their mental health develops during the asylum process and what options of care are provided. We aimed to investigate the mental health and treatment utilization of asylum seekers after they were transferred from a state registration- and reception-center to municipal shelters in Germany. N = 228 asylum seekers with on-going asylum procedure were recruited in the psychosocial walk-in clinic located in a state registration- and reception-center. We firstly captured symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety disorders, quality of life, as well as alcohol or drug abuse. Subsequently we performed a follow-up after three months to evaluate a potential shift in symptoms and determining rates of access to treatment. In the pre-post psychometric assessment, there were statistically significant changes in depression (PHQ-2), panic (PHQ-PD) and psychosocial well-being scores (WHO-5). However, all these scores still remained within a clinical relevant range, respectively. Traumatic stress (PC-PTSD-5) and general anxiety scores (GAD-2) did not change significantly. Although N = 44 (66%) of the interviewed patients had been referred to psychotherapy initially, none (0%) of them had received outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment after three months. Our results emphasize a strong need for low-threshold, cultural adapted psychotherapeutic treatment for asylum seekers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Nikendei
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - David Kindermann
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hannah Brandenburg-Ceynowa
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Cassandra Derreza-Greeven
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Valentina Zeyher
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Junne
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Center for Psychosocial Medicine, Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Department of Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Prevalence of Mental Health Screening and Associated Factors Among Refugees and Other Resettled Populations ≥ 14 Years of Age in Georgia, 2014-2017. J Immigr Minor Health 2019; 21:1191-1199. [PMID: 30826995 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-019-00866-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Mental health screening (MHS) during the initial health assessment is recommended within 90 days of arrival to the U.S. Yet, MHS prevalence is not well understood. Screening prevalence [prevalence ratio (PR), adjusted prevalence ratio (adjPR)] and factors associated with MHS were assessed among refugees, Special Immigrant Visa holders, parolees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking ≥ 14 years old resettling in Georgia from 2014 to 2017. Of the 2019 individuals included, 55% received a MHS. Screening was more common among older individuals [reference: 13-22 years old; adjPR 23-35 = 1.20 (1.12-1.29), adjPR 36-49 = 1.14 (1.03-1.26), adjPR ≥ 50 = 1.27 (1.15-1.41)] and those without Medicaid [adjPR Medicaid vs. none = 0.75 (0.63-0.89)]. MHS also differed by country of birth. Although MHS has increased within recent years, gaps exist within sub-populations and geographic regions. Efforts should focus on increasing MHS to ensure timely identification of concerns and linkage to services.
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Grupp F, Moro MR, Nater UM, Skandrani S, Mewes R. 'Only God can promise healing.': help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019; 10:1684225. [PMID: 31741719 PMCID: PMC6844424 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1684225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Epidemiological studies have reported high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health care for this group, further knowledge about treatment preferences might be necessary. Objective: We aimed to provide insights into help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for PTSD held by asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Germany. Methods: To address this objective, we used a quantitative and qualitative methodological triangulation strategy based on a vignette describing symptoms of PTSD. In the quantitative part of the study, asylum seekers (n = 119), predominantly from Eritrea (n = 41), Somalia (n = 36), and Cameroon (n = 25), and a German comparison sample without a migration background (n = 120) completed the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). In the qualitative part, asylum seekers (n = 26) reviewed the results of the questionnaire survey within eight focus group discussions sampled from groups of the three main countries of origin. Results: Asylum seekers showed a high intention to seek religious, medical, and psychological treatment for symptoms of PTSD. However, asylum seekers indicated a higher preference to seek help from religious authorities and general practitioners, as well as a lower preference to enlist psychological and traditional help sources than Germans without a migration background. Furthermore, asylum seekers addressed structural and cultural barriers to seeking medical and psychological treatment. Conclusion: To facilitate access to local health care systems for asylum seekers and refugees, it might be crucial to develop public health campaigns in collaboration with religious communities. When treating asylum seekers and refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, practitioners should explore different religious and cultural frameworks for healing and recovery in order to signal understanding and acceptance of varying cultural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freyja Grupp
- Division of Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Marie Rose Moro
- Hospital Cochin Paris, University of Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Urs M Nater
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sara Skandrani
- Hospital Cochin Paris, University of Paris Nanterre, Paris, France
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Grupp F, Moro MR, Nater UM, Skandrani SM, Mewes R. "It's That Route That Makes Us Sick": Exploring Lay Beliefs About Causes of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Among Sub-saharan African Asylum Seekers in Germany. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:628. [PMID: 30534091 PMCID: PMC6275318 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Many asylum seekers have been confronted with traumatizing events, leading to high prevalence rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Within the diagnostic context, clinicians should take into account patients' culturally shaped presentation of symptoms. Therefore, we sought to provide insights into beliefs about causes of PTSD held by Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers living in Germany. To this aim, we used a quantitative and qualitative methodological triangulation strategy based on a vignette describing symptoms of PTSD. In the first part of the study, asylum seekers (n = 119), predominantly from Eritrea (n = 41), Somalia (n = 36), and Cameroon (n = 25), and a German comparison sample without a migration background (n = 120) completed the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R). In the second part, asylum seekers reviewed the results within eight focus group discussions (n = 26), sampled from groups of the three main countries of origin. Descriptive analyses of the first part demonstrated that asylum seekers predominantly attributed PTSD symptoms to psychological and religious causes, and rather disagreed with supernatural causes. In comparison to the German sample without a migration background, asylum seekers attributed symptoms less strongly to terrible experiences, but more strongly to religious and supernatural causes. Within the focus group discussions, six attribution categories of participants' causal beliefs were identified: (a) traumatic life experiences, (b) psychological causes, (c) social causes, (d) post-migration stressors, (e) religious causes, and (f) supernatural causes. Our findings suggest that the current Western understanding of PTSD is as relevant to migrants as to non-migrants in terms of psychological causation, but might differ regarding the religious and supernatural realm. While awareness of culture-specific belief systems of asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa regarding PTSD is important, our findings do underline, at the same time, that cultural differences should not be overstated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freyja Grupp
- Division of Clinical Biopsychology, Department of Psychology, University of Marburg, Hesse, Germany
| | - Marie Rose Moro
- University of Paris Descartes, Hospital Cochin Paris, Paris, France
| | - Urs M Nater
- Division of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sara M Skandrani
- University of Paris Nanterre, Hospital Cochin Paris, Paris, France
| | - Ricarda Mewes
- Outpatient Unit for Research, Teaching and Practice, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Erratum to: The mental health and help-seeking behaviour of resettled Afghan refugees in Australia. Int J Ment Health Syst 2017; 11:56. [PMID: 28943890 PMCID: PMC5607570 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-017-0163-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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