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Trang K, Hiott C, Rahim AK, Rahman S, Wuermli AJ. A qualitative study of cultural concepts of distress among Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Confl Health 2024; 18:48. [PMID: 39080752 PMCID: PMC11290005 DOI: 10.1186/s13031-024-00606-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh have been exposed to profound trauma in addition to ongoing daily stressors of living in the refugee camps. Accurate assessments of mental health burden and their impact among this population require culturally sensitive tools that remain lacking in this context. The purpose of this study was to characterize salient cultural concepts of distress (CCDs), their causes, consequences, and approaches to treatment, among Rohingya refugees living in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, to help inform future measurement and intervention design. METHODS Between December 2020 and March 2022, 106 free-listing interviews and 10 key informant interviews were conducted with community members to identify and better understand common CCDs. Rohingya research staff analyzed the interview transcripts by tabulating the frequency of unique CCDs in the free-listing interviews and the unique attributed causes, signs, consequences, and treatment strategies for each CCD in the key informant interviews. RESULTS In total, five CCDs were identified: tenshon (tension), bishi sinta (excessive thinking), feshar (pressure), gum zai nofara (unable to sleep), and shoit-shoit lagon (feeling restless and/or trapped). Although the five CCDs had overlapping symptoms, they also had unique presentation, consequences, and preferred strategies for treatment that may impact service-seeking behavior. Three out of the five CCDs were considered life-threatening, if severe and left untreated. CONCLUSION The five CCDs identified are culturally salient ways of experiencing and communicating distress within this community but are not adequately captured in existing mental health assessments for this population. This may negatively impact programmatic efforts among the group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathy Trang
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Caroline Hiott
- Global TIES for Children, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - A K Rahim
- Global TIES for Children, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Alice J Wuermli
- Global TIES for Children, New York University, New York, NY, USA
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2
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Tay AK, Mohsin M, Foo CYS, Rees S, Silove D. Long-term efficacy of brief psychological treatments for common mental disorders in Myanmar refugees in Malaysia: 12-month follow-up of a randomized, active-controlled trial of integrative adapt therapy v. cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychol Med 2023; 53:6055-6067. [PMID: 36330832 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291722003245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term efficacy of brief psychotherapies for refugees in low-resource settings is insufficiently understood. Integrative adapt therapy (IAT) is a scalable treatment addressing refugee-specific psychosocial challenges. METHODS We report 12-month post-treatment data from a single-blind, active-controlled trial (October 2017-August 2019) where 327 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia were assigned to either six sessions of IAT (n = 164) or cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) (n = 163). Primary outcomes were posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD) symptom scores at treatment end and 12-month post-treatment. Secondary outcome was functional impairment. RESULTS 282 (86.2%) participants were retained at 12-month follow-up. For both groups, large treatment effects for common mental disorders (CMD) symptoms were maintained at 12-month post-treatment compared to baseline (d = 0.75-1.13). Although participants in IAT had greater symptom reductions and larger effect sizes than CBT participants for all CMDs at treatment end, there were no significant differences between treatment arms at 12-month post-treatment for PTSD [mean difference: -0.9, 95% CI (-2.5 to 0.6), p = 0.25], depression [mean difference: 0.1, 95% CI (-0.6 to 0.7), p = 0.89), anxiety [mean difference: -0.4, 95% CI (-1.4 to 0.6), p = 0.46], and PCBD [mean difference: -0.6, 95% CI (-3.1 to 1.9), p = 0.65]. CBT participants showed greater improvement in functioning than IAT participants at 12-month post-treatment [mean difference: -2.5, 95% CI (-4.7 to -0.3], p = 0.03]. No adverse effects were recorded for either therapy. CONCLUSIONS Both IAT and CBT showed sustained treatment gains for CMD symptoms amongst refugees over the 12-month period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mohammed Mohsin
- Mental Health Research Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Cheryl Yunn Shee Foo
- Department of Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susan Rees
- The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
| | - Derrick Silove
- The Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Klein AB, Egeh MH, Bowling AR, Holloway A, Ali AA, Abdillahi ZA, Abdi MA, Ibrahim SH, Bootan KH, Ibrahim HI, Ali AM, Tubeec AM, Dolezal ML, Angula DA, Bentley JA, Feeny NC, Zoellner LA. WhatsApp supervision for a lay-led Islamic trauma-focused intervention in Somaliland: Qualitative content analysis. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:59-70. [PMID: 36204779 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Clinical supervision is critical for the uptake of psychotherapy but difficult to facilitate in countries with limited providers, resources, and internet infrastructure. Innovative supervision approaches are needed to increase access to mental health treatments in low-to-middle income countries (LMICs). This study examined the content and feasibility of remote WhatsApp text supervision conducted as part of an open clinical trial in Somaliland. Islamic Trauma Healing ITH) is a brief, group, lay-lead, trauma-focused, mosque-based intervention that has demonstrated initial efficacy in pilot studies in the United States and Somaliland. After a 2-day, in-person training, lay leaders led four groups of five to seven members focused on trauma-related psychopathology and community reconciliation. Somali lay leaders trained in ITH (n = 9) and the research team (n = 6) attended weekly WhatsApp supervision during the intervention. Content was logged and subjected to qualitative analysis by two coders. Comments related to intervention implementation indicated that lay leaders understood the treatment rationale, adhered to treatment procedures, and believed the intervention components to be helpful and culturally relevant. Themes related to engagement suggested perfect attendance across groups and high levels of participation. Lay leader psychoeducation and skill development; supervisor praise, support, and encouragement; and supervisee gratitude emerged as additional themes. Remote text supervision conducted via WhatsApp was technologically feasible and may have facilitated skill development and the effective implementation of this lay-led intervention. When tailored to the local context, remote supervision approaches hold promise for increasing access to services in LMICs with limited resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra B Klein
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Mumin H Egeh
- Abu Bakr Al-Siddique Islamic Center, Borama, Somaliland
| | - Alexandra R Bowling
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ash Holloway
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michael L Dolezal
- School of Psychology, Family, and Community, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Dega A Angula
- Abu Bakr Al-Siddique Islamic Center, Borama, Somaliland
| | - Jacob A Bentley
- School of Psychology, Family, and Community, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Norah C Feeny
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Lori A Zoellner
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Kim EE, Alemi Q, Stempel C, Siddiq H. Health disparities among Burmese diaspora: an integrative review. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. SOUTHEAST ASIA 2023; 8:100083. [PMID: 37384141 PMCID: PMC10306005 DOI: 10.1016/j.lansea.2022.100083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Tens of thousands of displaced Burmese ethnic minorities have endured various adversities for over six decades but are largely underserved. This study aimed to illuminate the health impacts of their misfortunes and unmet areas of concern. Using a holistic lens, we conducted an integrative review of 47 papers spanning the years 2004 to 2022 from diverse data sources. The results revealed widespread multimorbidity, triggered mainly by displacement. The diaspora's problematic health conditions were worse than their host country's general population. There was a strong indication that the diaspora's unfortunate health trajectory is determined early in life. Ongoing human rights violations and grossly inadequate health care interventions deepened pre-existing health conditions. Noteworthy emerging treatment initiatives, including integrative health care, were underutilized. The persisting health and intervention needs among the diaspora warrant advanced studies to facilitate much-needed resource mobilization and collaboration among stakeholders to promote health equity. Funding There was no financial support for this manuscript.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice E. Kim
- Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Qais Alemi
- Department of Social Work and Social Ecology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, USA
| | - Carl Stempel
- Department of Sociology and Social Services, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, USA
| | - Hafifa Siddiq
- Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, USA
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Sudheer N, Banerjee D. The Rohingya refugees: a conceptual framework of their psychosocial adversities, cultural idioms of distress and social suffering. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2021; 8:e46. [PMID: 35003755 PMCID: PMC8715339 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2021.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Rohingya refugees, a group of religious and ethnic minorities, primarily reside in the South Asian nations. With decades of displacement, forced migration, limited freedom of movement, violence and oppression, they have been termed by the United Nations (UN) as the 'most persecuted minority group' in world history. Literature shows an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, insomnia, etc., in this population. However, beyond 'medicalisation', the psychosocial challenges of the Rohingyas need to be understood through the lens of 'social suffering', which results from a complex interplay of multiple social, political, environmental and geographical factors. Lack of essential living amenities, poverty, unemployment, overcrowding, compromised social identity, and persistent traumatic stressors lead to inequality, restricted healthcare access, human rights deprivation and social injustice in this group. Even though the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has taken a renewed interest in Rohingya re-establishment with well-researched standards of care, there are several pragmatic challenges in their implementation and inclusion in policies. This paper reviews these multi-dimensional psychosocial challenges of the Rohingyas by synthesising various intersecting conceptual models including minority stress, health-stigma-discrimination framework, refugee ecological model and capability approach. Furthermore, it highlights multidisciplinary interventions to mitigate these adversities, improve their living situation and eventually foster healing via means which are culturally relevant and contextually appropriate. These interventions need to involve various stakeholders from a human rights and dignity based lens, including the voices of the Rohingyas and supported by more research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nivedita Sudheer
- Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India
| | - Debanjan Banerjee
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India
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6
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Khan S, Haque S. Autobiographical memory impairment among Rohingya refugee people: roles of direct and indirect trauma exposures and PTSD symptom severity. Cogn Emot 2021; 35:1573-1587. [PMID: 34644246 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2021.1990018] [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: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Literature indicates that trauma exposure leads to autobiographical memory (AM) impairment, but the differential effects of direct and indirect trauma on memory remain unclear. We investigated AMs of 100 Rohingya refugees (Meanage = 35.79; SDage = 15.36) recruited from camps in Bangladesh and communities in Malaysia. Each participant retrieved ten memories to word cues and rated to what extent those memories were self-defining on a 5-point scale. They also completed the PTSD-8 scale and a trauma checklist reporting the types of traumatic events they experienced. Results showed that participants with frequent exposure to direct and indirect trauma recalled more traumatic memories. Surprisingly, more direct-trauma memories appeared to be specific than indirect trauma and non-trauma memories. As expected, individuals who scored higher on the PTSD-8 scale recalled more non-specific AMs. Rohingyas in Bangladesh who migrated months before data collection, thus retaining recent trauma experiences , retrieved more non-specific memories than those in Malaysia who migrated years ago. The direct trauma memories of the Malaysian cohort were more self-defining than their counterparts. The participant's ability to recall more direct trauma memories with specificity could be attributed to the repeated recall of those memories to the relevant authorities of the host countries to justify their refugee status.
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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, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shamsul Haque
- Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Selangor, Malaysia
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Koly KN, Baskin C, Khanam I, Rao M, Rasheed S, Law GR, Sarker F, Gnani S. Educational and Training Interventions Aimed at Healthcare Workers in the Detection and Management of People With Mental Health Conditions in South and South-East Asia: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:741328. [PMID: 34707524 PMCID: PMC8542900 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.741328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: To bridge significant mental health treatment gaps, it is essential that the healthcare workforce is able to detect and manage mental health conditions. We aim to synthesise evidence of effective educational and training interventions aimed at healthcare workers to increase their ability to detect and manage mental health conditions in South and South-East Asia. Methods: Systematic review of six electronic academic databases from January 2000 to August 2020 was performed. All primary research studies were eligible if conducted among healthcare workers in South and South-East Asia and reported education and training interventions to improve detection and management of mental health conditions. Quality of studies were assessed using Modified Cochrane Collaboration, ROBINS-I, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tools and data synthesised by narrative synthesis. Results are reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. A review protocol was registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42020203955). Findings: We included 48 of 3,654 screened articles. Thirty-six reported improvements in knowledge and skills in the detection and management of mental health conditions. Training was predominantly delivered to community and primary care health workers to identify and manage common mental health disorders. Commonly used training included the World Health Organization's mhGAP guidelines (n = 9) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (n = 8) and were successfully tailored and delivered to healthcare workers. Digitally delivered training was found to be acceptable and effective. Only one study analysed cost effectiveness. Few targeted severe mental illnesses and upskilling mental health specialists or offered long-term follow-up or supervision. We found 21 studies were appraised as low/moderate and 19 as high/critical risk of bias. Interpretation: In low resource country settings, upskilling and capacity building of primary care and community healthcare workers can lead to better detection and management of people with mental health disorders and help reduce the treatment gap. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42020203955.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamrun Nahar Koly
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Cleo Baskin
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ivylata Khanam
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mala Rao
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sabrina Rasheed
- Health System and Population Studies Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr, b), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Graham R. Law
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Farhana Sarker
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shamini Gnani
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Tay AK, Miah MAA, Khan S, Mohsin M, Alam AM, Ozen S, Mahmuda M, Ahmed HU, Silove D, Ventevogel P. A Naturalistic Evaluation of Group Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT-G) with Rohingya Refugees During the Emergency Phase of a Mass Humanitarian Crisis in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. EClinicalMedicine 2021; 38:100999. [PMID: 34505027 PMCID: PMC8413262 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.100999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Studies of scalable psychological interventions in humanitarian setting are usually carried out when the acute emergency has stabilized. We report the first evaluation of an evidence-based group psychological intervention, Group Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT-G), during the emergency phase of a mass humanitarian crisis amongst Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. Methods: We did a pragmatic naturalistic evaluation (2018-2020) of a seven-session group intervention with adult Rohingya refugees with elevated symptoms of depression (≥10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire) and/or posttraumatic stress disorder, PTSD, (≥3 on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder-8), and functional impairment (≥17 on WHO Disability Assessment Schedule or WHODAS-brief). Screening was done across the most densely populated campsites. Blind assessments were completed at baseline, posttreatment, and at 3-month follow-up using culturally adapted measures of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, complicated bereavement, adaptive stress associated with disrupted psychosocial support systems, functional impairment, and resilience. Findings: 383 persons were screened and of the 144 persons who met inclusion criteria all participated in the group intervention. Compared to baseline scores, IAT-G participants recorded significantly lower mean scores on key outcome indices (mental health symptoms, adaptive stress, and functional impairment) at posttreatment and 3-month follow-up (all pairwise tests significant Ps<.05). From baseline to 3-month follow-up, score changes were greatest for functional impairment (d = 2.24), anxiety (d = 2.15) and depression (d = 1.9), followed by PTSD symptoms (d = 1.17). Interpretation: A group-based intervention designed specifically to reflect the refugee experience and adapted to the language and culture, showed positive outcomes in the context of a pragmatic, naturalistic trial implemented in a mass humanitarian emergency. Funding: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; National Health and Medical Research Council Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
- Mental Health Academic Unit, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Correspondence: Alvin Kuowei Tay, : School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia.
| | | | - Sanjida Khan
- Independent Researcher, Bangladesh
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed Mohsin
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - A.N.M. Mahmudul Alam
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Subunit, Public Health & Nutrition Unit, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
| | - Sanem Ozen
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Helal U. Ahmed
- Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Derrick Silove
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- National Institute of Mental Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Public Health Section, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Geneva, Switzerland
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9
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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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Tay AK, Balasundaram S. Mental health services for refugees in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lancet Psychiatry 2021; 8:e7. [PMID: 33485426 PMCID: PMC9764380 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(20)30525-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia.
| | - Susheela Balasundaram
- Public Health Unit, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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11
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Tay AK, Khat Mung H, Badrudduza M, Balasundaram S, Fadil Azim D, Arfah Zaini N, Morgan K, Mohsin M, Silove D. Psychosocial mechanisms of change in symptoms of Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder amongst refugees from Myanmar over the course of Integrative Adapt Therapy. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2020; 11:1807170. [PMID: 33062211 PMCID: PMC7534324 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1807170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The ability to adapt to the psychosocial disruptions associated with the refugee experience may influence the course of complicated grief reactions. Objective: We examine these relationships amongst Myanmar refugees relocated to Malaysia who participated in a six-week course of Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT). Method: Participants (n = 170) included Rohingya, Chin, and Kachin refugees relocated to Malaysia. At baseline and six-week post-treatment, we applied culturally adapted measures to assess symptoms of Prolonged Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) and adaptive capacity to psychosocial disruptions, based on the Adaptive Stress Index (ASI). The ASI comprises five sub-scales of safety/security (ASI-1); bonds and networks (ASI-2); injustice (ASI-3); roles and identity (ASI-4); and existential meaning (ASI-5). Results: Multilevel linear models indicated that the relationship between baseline and posttreatment PCBD symptoms was mediated by the ASI scale scores. Further, ASI scale scores assessed posttreatment mediated the relationship between baseline and posttreatment PCBD symptoms. Mediation of PCBD change was greatest for the ASI II scale representing disrupted bonds and networks. Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with the informing model of IAT in demonstrating that changes in adaptive capacity, and especially in dealing with disrupted bonds and networks, may mediate the process of symptom improvement over the course of therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Perdana University-Centre for Global Health and Social Change (PU-GHSC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hau Khat Mung
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mohammad Badrudduza
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Darlina Fadil Azim
- Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Arfah Zaini
- Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Karen Morgan
- Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohammed Mohsin
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, Liverpool Hospital, NSW Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Derrick Silove
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Tay AK, Mung HK, Miah MAA, Balasundaram S, Ventevogel P, Badrudduza M, Khan S, Morgan K, Rees S, Mohsin M, Silove D. An Integrative Adapt Therapy for common mental health symptoms and adaptive stress amongst Rohingya, Chin, and Kachin refugees living in Malaysia: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003073. [PMID: 32231364 PMCID: PMC7108685 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This randomised controlled trial (RCT) aims to compare 6-week posttreatment outcomes of an Integrative Adapt Therapy (IAT) to a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) on common mental health symptoms and adaptive capacity amongst refugees from Myanmar. IAT is grounded on psychotherapeutic elements specific to the refugee experience. METHODS AND FINDINGS We conducted a single-blind RCT (October 2017 -May 2019) with Chin (39.3%), Kachin (15.7%), and Rohingya (45%) refugees living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The trial included 170 participants receiving six 45-minute weekly sessions of IAT (97.6% retention, 4 lost to follow-up) and 161 receiving a multicomponent CBT also involving six 45-minute weekly sessions (96.8% retention, 5 lost to follow-up). Participants (mean age: 30.8 years, SD = 9.6) had experienced and/or witnessed an average 10.1 types (SD = 5.9, range = 1-27) of traumatic events. We applied a single-blind design in which independent assessors of pre- and posttreatment indices were masked in relation to participants' treatment allocation status. Primary outcomes were symptom scores of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Complex PTSD (CPTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the 5 scales of the Adaptive Stress Index (ASI), and a measure of resilience (the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale [CDRS]). Compared to CBT, an intention-to-treat analysis (n = 331) at 6-week posttreatment follow-up demonstrated greater reductions in the IAT arm for all common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms and ASI domains except for ASI-3 (injustice), as well as increases in the resilience scores. Adjusted average treatment effects assessing the differences in posttreatment scores between IAT and CBT (with baseline scores as covariates) were -0.08 (95% CI: -0.14 to -0.02, p = 0.012) for PTSD, -0.07 (95% CI: -0.14 to -0.01) for CPTSD, -0.07 for MDD (95% CI: -0.13 to -0.01, p = 0.025), 0.16 for CDRS (95% CI: 0.06-0.026, p ≤ 0.001), -0.12 (95% CI: -0.20 to -0.03, p ≤ 0.001) for ASI-1 (safety/security), -0.10 for ASI-2 (traumatic losses; 95% CI: -0.18 to -0.02, p = 0.02), -0.03 for ASI-3 (injustice; (95% CI: -0.11 to 0.06, p = 0.513), -0.12 for ASI-4 (role/identity disruptions; 95% CI: -0.21 to -0.04, p ≤ 0.001), and -0.18 for ASI-5 (existential meaning; 95% CI: -0.19 to -0.05, p ≤ 0.001). Compared to CBT, the IAT group had larger effect sizes for all indices (except for resilience) including PTSD (IAT, d = 0.93 versus CBT, d = 0.87), CPTSD (d = 1.27 versus d = 1.02), MDD (d = 1.4 versus d = 1.11), ASI-1 (d = 1.1 versus d = 0.85), ASI-2 (d = 0.81 versus d = 0.66), ASI-3 (d = 0.49 versus d = 0.42), ASI-4 (d = 0.86 versus d = 0.67), and ASI-5 (d = 0.72 versus d = 0.53). No adverse events were recorded for either therapy. Limitations include a possible allegiance effect (the authors inadvertently conveying disproportionate enthusiasm for IAT in training and supervision), cross-over effects (counsellors applying elements of one therapy in delivering the other), and the brief period of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Compared to CBT, IAT showed superiority in improving mental health symptoms and adaptative stress from baseline to 6-week posttreatment. The differences in scores between IAT and CBT were modest and future studies conducted by independent research teams need to confirm the findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION The study is registered under Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (http://www.anzctr.org.au/). The trial registration number is: ACTRN12617001452381.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin Kuowei Tay
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
- Perdana University-Centre for Global Health and Social Change (PU-GHSC), Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hau Khat Mung
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Susheela Balasundaram
- Health Unit, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Peter Ventevogel
- Public Health Section/ Division of Programme Support & Management, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mohammad Badrudduza
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sanjida Khan
- Department of Psychology, Jagannath University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Karen Morgan
- Perdana University-Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (PU-RCSI) School of Medicine, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Susan Rees
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mohammed Mohsin
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
| | - Derrick Silove
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Australia
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Ventevogel P, Tarannum S, Elshazly M, Harlass S. Integrating mental health into primary health care in Rohingya refugee settings in Bangladesh: experiences of UNHCR. INTERVENTION 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/intv.intv_34_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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