School-based mental health screenings with Ukrainian adolescent refugees in Germany: Results from a pilot study

Neurotic Disorders in Children and Adults Under Social Stress Neurosis in Kids and Adults: Social Stress

ABSTRACT

The relevance of the research subject is to explore the neurotic disorders that arise in people affected by the Russian-Ukrainian war and who witness violence and war crimes. The purpose of the research is to reflect the specific features of the mental reaction of children and adults to military actions as an example of global social stress. Bibliographic, bibliosemantic, and statistical research methods were used in the research. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the number of patients with prolonged depression and schizophrenia has increased, and neurotic disorders has become more severe and acute. Particular attention should be devoted to assistance to military personnel who have been in the combat zone for a long time and former military prisoners of war. Attention should be devoted to the psyche, emotionality, and behavior of people with labile and unformed nervous systems-children, adolescents, pregnant women, and people of retirement age.

The use of 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) in Ukrainian refugees: translation and validation study of the Ukrainian version

Following the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the well-being of millions of Ukrainians has been jeopardised. This study aims to translate and test the psychometric features of the Ukrainian version of the General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). The study included Ukrainian refugees housed in Verona (Italy) between November/2022 and February/2023. The Ukrainian translation was obtained through a 'forward-backward' translation. Questionnaire was completed by 141 refugees (females: 78.7%). Median age was 36 years (IQR 23-43). Individuals with a score suggestive of psychological distress were 97 (68.8%). Cronbach's coefficient was 0.84 (0.95CI 0.80-0.88). According to confirmatory factor analysis, both single- (modelB1) and two-factor (model B2) structures with bimodal scoring method fitted the data satisfactorily. The two factors of model B2 had a 0.88 correlation. Pearson coefficient showed a positive significant correlation between the GHQ-12 and International Trauma Questionnaire scores (ρ = 0.53, 0.95CI 0.40-0.64, p < 0.001). The GHQ-12 Ukrainian translation showed good psychometric features being a reliable and valid instrument to assess Ukrainian refugees' general well-being.

Low access and inadequate treatment in mental health care for asylum seekers and refugees in Germany-A prospective follow-up study over 12 months and a nationwide cross-sectional study

Refugees experience elevated rates of mental health problems, but little is known about mental health service utilization and quality among asylum seekers and refugees in Europe. In a 12-month follow-up study of newly arrived refugees (N = 166, Mage  = 32.38 years, 30.7% female) and a nationwide cross-sectional study (N = 579, Mage  = 33.89 years, 36.2% female) of refugees who had been living in Germany for an average of 6 years, we examined objective need for mental health treatment, perceived need, access to treatment services, and adequacy of treatment. We defined minimally adequate mental health treatment according to the WHO World Mental Health Survey as ≥8 sessions of psychotherapy (minimally adequate psychotherapy) or pharmacotherapy plus ≥4 medical visits (minimally adequate pharmacotherapy). In both studies, two in three individuals screened for mental health symptoms and additionally perceived a need for professional treatment. Of those, less than half had contact to any service provider, with only 1 in 14 receiving minimally adequate psychotherapy. Overall, no more than one in seven of refugees in need received minimally adequate treatment. Despite a comprehensive mental health-care system, refugees' access to mental health care and the treatment provided are inadequate. Health policies are urgently needed to provide equitable mental health care for all.