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An R. RETRACTED ARTICLE: Analysis of Factors Affecting Mental Health in College English Teaching Courses. J Autism Dev Disord 2024; 54:1619. [PMID: 37592060 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06087-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ran An
- School of Foreign Languages, Weifang University, Weifang, 261061, Shandong, China.
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Shaw SA, Lee C, Ahmadi M, Karim Shor Muluk H, Mohamed Jibril Z, Ahmadi L, Randall L, Yang C, Gilbert L. A randomized controlled trial testing the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a mental health Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment among refugees in Malaysia. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1898-1908. [PMID: 37326111 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231179323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among refugees residing in countries of first asylum, such as Malaysia, high rates of psychological distress call for creative intervention responses. AIMS This study examines implementation of a Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model promoting emotional well-being and access to services. METHOD The one-session intervention was implemented in community settings by refugee facilitators during 2017 to 2020. 140 Participants including Afghan (n = 43), Rohingya (n = 41), and Somali (n = 56) refugees were randomized to receive either the intervention at baseline, or to a waitlist control group. At 30 days post-intervention, all participants completed a post-assessment. Additionally, after completing the intervention, participants provided feedback on SBIRT content and process. RESULTS Findings indicate the intervention was feasible to implement. Among the full sample, Refugee Health Screening-15 emotional distress scores reduced significantly among participants in the intervention group when compared to those in the waitlist control group. Examining findings by nationality, only Afghan and Rohingya participants in the intervention condition experienced significant reductions in distress scores compared to their counterparts in the control condition. Examining intervention effects on service access outcomes, only Somali participants in the intervention condition experienced significant increases in service access compared to the control condition. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate the potential value of this SBIRT intervention, warranting further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey A Shaw
- School of Social Work, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | | | - Maryam Ahmadi
- School of Social Work, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Latifa Ahmadi
- School of Social Work, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | | | | | - Louisa Gilbert
- School of Social Work, Columbia University, New York, USA
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3
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Führer A. [Determinants of asylum seekers' health and medical care in Germany]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2023; 66:1083-1091. [PMID: 37707509 PMCID: PMC10539189 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-023-03762-9] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Asylum seekers in Germany are exposed to a variety of health-related stressors, while their access to medical care is impaired. This review explains some of the determinants that structure this situation, for example by elaborating on how the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act (ASBA), billing via treatment vouchers, and accommodation in refugee shelters affect asylum seekers' health and healthcare utilization. Hereby, it becomes clear that the exclusion of asylum seekers from the welfare system is detrimental to their health, is expensive, and raises ethical and legal questions. In particular, the huge discretionary scope of the social welfare offices in the assumption of costs as well as the different models for billing medical services for asylum seekers are potentially unjust and lead to a plurality of care, which lacks legal and ethical justification.The second part of the article shows that asylum seekers generally suffer from the same health problems as people with statutory health insurance-with the exception of mental illnesses, which are substantially more common among asylum seekers, but are often undiagnosed and frequently inadequately treated.This leads to three practical conclusions: (1) asylum seekers should be integrated into statutory health insurance, (2) from a public health point of view, accommodation in refugee shelters should be avoided in favor of decentralized accommodation, and (3) to ensure diversity-sensitive care for all patients, the healthcare system must make adjustments to its structures and practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amand Führer
- Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Profilzentrum Gesundheitswissenschaften, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Magdeburger Straße 8, 06112, Halle (Saale), Deutschland.
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Potter F, Zehb M, Dohrmann K, Müller-Bamouh V, Rockstroh B, Crombach A. "It is worth hanging in there" - Psychotherapeutic experiences shaping future motivation for outpatient psychotherapy with refugee clients in Germany. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:503. [PMID: 37438750 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05004-3] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A high prevalence of mental disorders in refugees contrasts with a low rate of treatment and limited access to health care services. In addition to pre-, peri- and post-migration stress, language, cultural barriers together with lack of information about cost reimbursement, and access to German (mental) health care institutions are discussed as barriers to use of available services. Such barriers together with insufficient experience of treating traumatized refugee clients may lower therapists' motivation and facilities to accept refugee clients. A model project called "Fearless" trained, and supervised therapists, translators, and peer counsellors to reduce these barriers and increase therapists' motivation and engagement in future treatment of refugees. METHODS From a total 14 therapists participating in the project N = 13 were available for semi-structured interviews. The interviews were scheduled during or after their outpatient psychotherapy of refugee clients and lasted one hour on average. Based on qualitative assessment strategies, open questions addressed the therapists' experience of challenges, enrichments, and motivation throughout the therapy. Therapists' responses were analyzed using content structuring qualitative content analysis. RESULTS Three major challenges modulated therapists' future motivation for treating refugee clients: specific bureaucratic efforts (e.g., therapy application), organizational difficulties (e.g., scheduling appointments), and clients' motivation (e.g., adherence, reliability). Still, most interviewed therapists (n = 12) evaluated the therapy as enriching and expressed their motivation to accept refugee clients in the future (n = 10). CONCLUSION Results recommend the reduction of bureaucratic effort (e.g., regular health insurance cover for all refugees) and implementation of organizational support (e.g., peer counsellors) in support of therapists' motivation for future treatment of refugee clients. Further structural support e.g., with organizing and financing professional translators and referring refugee clients to psychotherapists should be deployed nationwide. We recommend the training in, and supervision of, the treatment of refugee clients as helpful additional modules in psychotherapy training curricula to raise therapists' motivation to work with refugee clients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flurina Potter
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Marlene Zehb
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Katalin Dohrmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- vivo international, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Veronika Müller-Bamouh
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- vivo international, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Brigitte Rockstroh
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- vivo international, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anselm Crombach
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- vivo international, Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
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Vega Potler NJ, Zhang J, Hackley B, Choi J, Xie X, Punsky B, Pineda L, Shapiro A. Persistence of Emotional Distress in Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Adolescents Primarily From the Northern Triangle of Central America. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2318977. [PMID: 37338902 PMCID: PMC10282890 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.18977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance In the US, unaccompanied migrant children and adolescents (hereinafter referred to as children) are predominantly from Central America's Northern Triangle. While unaccompanied migrant children are at high risk for psychiatric sequelae due to complex traumatic exposures, longitudinal investigations of psychiatric distress after resettlement are lacking. Objective To identify factors associated with emotional distress and longitudinal changes in emotional distress among unaccompanied migrant children in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants For this retrospective cohort study, the 15-item Refugee Health Screener (RHS-15) was administered between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, to unaccompanied migrant children as part of their medical care to detect emotional distress. Follow-up RHS-15 results were included if they were completed before February 29, 2020. Median follow-up interval was 203 days (IQR, 113-375 days). The study was conducted in a federally qualified health center that provides medical, mental health, and legal services. Unaccompanied migrant children who completed the initial RHS-15 were eligible for analysis. Data were analyzed from April 18, 2022, to April 23, 2023. Exposures Traumatic events before migration, during migration, during detention, and after resettlement in the US. Main Outcomes and Measures Emotional distress, including symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, as indicated by the RHS-15 (ie, score ≥12 on items 1-14 or ≥5 on item 15). Results In total, 176 unaccompanied migrant children completed an initial RHS-15. They were primarily from Central America's Northern Triangle (153 [86.9%]), were mostly male (126 [71.6%]), and had a mean (SD) age of 16.9 (2.1) years. Of the 176 unaccompanied migrant children, 101 (57.4%) had screen results above the positive cutoff. Girls were more likely to have positive screen results than boys (odds ratio, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.15-5.34]; P = .02). Follow-up scores were available for 68 unaccompanied migrant children (38.6%). On the follow-up RHS-15, most scored above the positive cutoff (44 [64.7%]). Three-quarters of unaccompanied migrant children who scored above the positive cutoff initially continued to have positive scores at follow-up (30 of 40), and half of those with negative screen scores initially had positive scores at follow-up (14 of 28). Female vs male unaccompanied migrant children (unstandardized β = 5.14 [95% CI, 0.23-10.06]; P = .04) and initial total score (unstandardized β = 0.41 [95% CI, 0.18-0.64]; P = .001) were independently associated with increased follow-up RHS-15 total score. Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that unaccompanied migrant children are at high risk for emotional distress, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress. The persistence of emotional distress suggests that unaccompanied migrant children would benefit from ongoing psychosocial and material support after resettlement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natan J. Vega Potler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York
| | - Jessica Zhang
- Bronx Health Collective, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Barbara Hackley
- Bronx Health Collective, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Jaeun Choi
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Xianhong Xie
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Brenda Punsky
- Bronx Health Collective, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Lisa Pineda
- Bronx Health Collective, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Alan Shapiro
- Bronx Health Collective, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
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Comtesse H, Killikelly C, Hengst SMC, Lenferink LIM, de la Rie SM, Boelen PA, Smid GE. The Ambiguous Loss Inventory Plus (ALI+): Introduction of a Measure of Psychological Reactions to the Disappearance of a Loved One. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5117. [PMID: 36982023 PMCID: PMC10049427 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The disappearance of a significant person is an ambiguous loss due to the persistent uncertainty about the whereabouts of the person. Measures specifically capturing the psychological consequences of ambiguous loss are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to develop the Ambiguous Loss Inventory Plus (ALI+) and evaluated its suitability for use with relatives of missing persons. METHODS ALI+ items were generated based on established measures for prolonged grief symptoms and literature on psychological responses to ambiguous loss. Eight relatives of missing persons (three refugees, five non-refugees) and seven international experts on ambiguous loss rated all items in terms of understandability and relevance on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very well). RESULTS On average, the comprehensibility of the items was rated as high (all items ≥ 3.7). Likewise, all items were rated as relevant for the assessment of common responses to the disappearance of a loved one. Only minor changes were made to the wording of the items based on the experts' feedback. CONCLUSIONS These descriptive results indicate that the ALI+ seems to cover the intended concept, thus showing promising face and content validity. However, further psychometric evaluations of the ALI+ are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Comtesse
- Clinical and Biological Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, 85072 Eichstaett, Germany
| | - Clare Killikelly
- Department of Psychiatry, University British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada
| | | | - Lonneke I. M. Lenferink
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, 7522 NB Enschede, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Experimental Psychopathology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, 9747 AE Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Paul A. Boelen
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Utrecht University, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Geert E. Smid
- ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre, 1112 XE Diemen, The Netherlands
- Department of Humanist Chaplaincy Studies, University of Humanistic Studies, 3512 HD Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Measuring the Optimal Time Interval Between Arrival and First Mental Health Evaluation's for Refugees in Québec: A Scoping Review. ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY IN MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH 2023:10.1007/s10488-023-01257-y. [PMID: 36881163 PMCID: PMC9989567 DOI: 10.1007/s10488-023-01257-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
To map the state of the existing literature to identify the optimal time frame between the arrival of refugees in a host country and psychosocial assessments. We conducted scoping review using the method of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). A systematic search of 5 databases including PubMed, Psycinfo (OVID), PsycINFO BD APA, Scopus and Web of Sciences) and grey literature identified 2698 references. Thirteen studies published between 2010 and 2021 were considered eligible. A data extraction grid was designed and tested by the research team. It is not so ease to identify the most appropriate time interval to assess the mental health of newly settled refugees. All the studies selected agree on the need to carry out an initial assessment when refugees arrive in their host country. Several authors agree on the need to carry out screening at least twice during the resettlement period. However, what is less clear is the best time to perform the second screening. This scoping review mainly helped in highlighting the lack of probing data on the mental health indicators focused on during the assessment and on the optimal timeline for the assessment of refugees. Further research is needed to determine whether developmental and psychological screening is beneficial, the right time to perform the screening, and the most appropriate collection instruments and interventions.
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Grabo J, Leavey G. Geographical Disparities and Settlement Factors and Mental Health of Refugees Living in Germany. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4409. [PMID: 36901421 PMCID: PMC10002295 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20054409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Approximately half of all refugees living in Germany experience discrimination, which may negatively affect their mental health. Moreover, German refugees have experienced hostility, especially in eastern regions. (2) Aims: We examined the effect of perceived discrimination on refugees' mental health in Germany, with a particular focus on possible regional differences of refugee mental health and perceived discrimination. (3) Method: The data of 2075 refugees who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2016, from a large-scale survey, was analysed using binary logistic regression. The refugee health screener, 13-item version, was used to assess psychological distress. All effects were investigated for the entire sample and both sexes independently. (4) Results: A third of refugees experienced discrimination which increased the risk of psychological distress (OR = 2.25 [1.80, 2.8]). Those living in eastern Germany were more than twice as likely to report experiences of discrimination, compared to their counterparts living in western Germany (OR = 2.52 [1.98, 3.21]). Differences were noted between males and females, and religious attendance. (5) Conclusions: Perceived discrimination is a risk factor for refugee mental health, particularly female refugees in eastern Germany. An east-west regional difference may be explained by socio-structural factors, rural placement, differential historical exposure to migrant populations, and a greater presence of right-wing and populist parties in eastern Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Grabo
- Global Health, Maastricht University, 6221 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Leavey
- Bamford Centre for Mental Health & Wellbeing, Ulster University, Coleraine BT51 5SA, UK
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Warmbein A, Beiersmann C, Eulgem A, Demir J, Neuhann F. Challenges in health care services for refugees in Cologne, Germany: A providers' perspective using a mixed-methods approach. J Migr Health 2023; 7:100158. [PMID: 36866061 PMCID: PMC9971550 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2023.100158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the peak of refugees arriving in Germany in 2015, existing health care structures have faced major challenges. The city of Cologne developed ad-hoc new structures to address these challenges, including a separate department for refugee medicine. We examine the processes of health care provision and perceived challenges in the health care of refugees in Cologne. We used a mixed-methods approach using 20 semi-structured interviews and analyzed descriptively a database including 353 datasets with socio-demographic, health-related and resource-related information to link with the results of qualitative data. Our qualitative data revealed several challenges in providing health care to refugees. Challenges included receiving approval of health care services and medical aids by the municipality, communication and cooperation between the actors in care of refugees, undersupplies in mental health care and addictive disorders as well as improper housing conditions for refugees with mental health issues, psychiatric disorders or elderly persons. Quantitative data confirmed the challenges in approving health care services and medical aids, but no valid statement could be made about communication and cooperation. Undersupplies for mental health issues were confirmed, the gap for treatment of addictive disorders shows a divergence within the database. Improper housing conditions for mentally ill persons were reflected, for elderly persons this did not appear in data. In conclusion, analyzing the challenges in care can stimulate necessary changes to improve health services for refugees locally, while others are beyond the control of the local authority and require legislative and political action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Warmbein
- LMU Klinikum, Marchioninistr. 15, 81337, Munich, Germany,Corresponding author.
| | - Claudia Beiersmann
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Eulgem
- Public Health Department of the City of Cologne, Neumarkt 15-21, 50667, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jaqueline Demir
- Public Health Department of the City of Cologne, Neumarkt 15-21, 50667, Cologne, Germany
| | - Florian Neuhann
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany,Public Health Department of the City of Cologne, Neumarkt 15-21, 50667, Cologne, Germany,School of Medicine and Clinical Sciences, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Lusaka, Zambia
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Schmidt TL, Catani C, Dumke L, Groß M, Neldner S, Scharpf F, Weitkämper A, Wilker S, Wittmann J, Stammnitz A, van den Heuvel R, Neuner F. Welcome, how are you doing? - towards a systematic mental health screening and crisis management for newly arriving refugees. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2202053. [PMID: 37097725 PMCID: PMC10132251 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2202053] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Compared to the general German population, refugees in Germany are a high-risk group for trauma spectrum disorders. Currently, many barriers exist for the implementation of a screen-and-treat approach for mental disorders as part of the routine health care provision during the early stage of the immigration process.Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop and test a systematic screening approach to identify individual refugees in need of mental health care during the initial immigration phase.Method: 167 newly arrived refugees underwent a screening interview with the Refugee Health Screener (RHS) carried out by Intercultural Therapy Assistants (ITAs). The ITAs were super-vised by psychologists at a reception centre in Bielefeld, Germany. A subsample of 48 persons partici-pated in clinical validation interviews.Results: Findings demonstrated the need for and feasibility of a systematic screening during the initial immigration phase. However, established cut-off values of the RHS had to be adapted and the screening procedure had to be adjusted due to the needs of a significant number of refugees in severe psychological crises.Conclusion: A systematic screening that is applied shortly after arrival facilitates the early identification of refugees at risk of developing mental disorders and may be helpful to prevent chronic symptom development and an aggravation of psychological crises.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claudia Catani
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lars Dumke
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Melissa Groß
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Sina Neldner
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Florian Scharpf
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Sarah Wilker
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jasmin Wittmann
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | | | - Frank Neuner
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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Catani C, Wittmann J, Schmidt TL, Wilker S, Neldner S, Neuner F. School-based mental health screenings with Ukrainian adolescent refugees in Germany: Results from a pilot study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1146282. [PMID: 37143592 PMCID: PMC10151552 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1146282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, high numbers of Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have left the country. As of today, Germany has accepted more than one million refugees fleeing from Ukraine including ~200,000 children and adolescents registered in German schools. Since refugee minors are typically affected by high rates of mental health issues, the identification of potential psychological problems at an early stage after arrival is essential in order to make timely referrals for vulnerable youth to diagnostic or treatment services possible. The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility of a classroom-based mental health screening procedure and to assess symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety in a small sample of adolescents who had fled to Germany. Forty-two adolescents (n = 20 girls) took part in the study. Screening results showed that more than half of the sample had elevated ratings in the Refugee Health Screener (RHS) and about 45% reported clinically significant levels of PTSD. Overall, the amount of both mental health problems and current worries related to the war was significantly higher in girls compared to boys. In general, screenings were well received by the adolescents. The findings of this pilot study point to a considerable level of mental health problems and distress in adolescent refugees affected by the recent war in Ukraine. Brief psychological screenings within the school setting might represent a promising approach to identifying potential mental health disorders as early as possible in newly arriving refugee youth.
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Magwood O, Bellai-Dussault K, Fox G, McCutcheon C, Adams O, Saad A, Kassam A. Diagnostic test accuracy of screening tools for post-traumatic stress disorder among refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Migr Health 2022; 7:100144. [PMID: 36568829 PMCID: PMC9772565 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Refugees and asylum seekers often experience traumatic events resulting in a high prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Undiagnosed PTSD can have detrimental effects on resettlement outcomes. Immigration medical exams provide an opportunity to screen for mental health conditions in refugee and asylum seeker populations and provide links to timely mental health care. Objective To assess the diagnostic accuracy of screening tools for PTSD in refugee and asylum seeker populations. Methods We systematically searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CENTRAL and CINAHL up to 29 September 2022. We included cohort-selection or cross-sectional study designs that assessed PTSD screening tools in refugee or asylum seeker populations of all ages. All reference standards were eligible for inclusion, with a clinical interview considered the gold standard. We selected studies and extracted diagnostic test accuracy data in duplicate. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were addressed using QUADAS-2. We meta-analyzed findings using a bivariate random-effects model. We partnered with a patient representative and a clinical psychiatrist to inform review development and conduct. Results Our review includes 28 studies (4,373 participants) capturing 16 different screening tools. Nine of the 16 tools were developed specifically for refugee populations. Most studies assessed PTSD in adult populations, but three included studies focused on detecting PTSD in children. Nine studies looked at the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) with diagnostic cut-off points ranging from 1.17 to 2.5. Meta-analyses revealed a summary point sensitivity of 86.6% (95%CI 0.791; 0.917) and specificity of 78.9% (95%CI 0.639; 0.888) for these studies. After evaluation, we found it appropriate to pool other screening tools (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist, the Impact of Event Scale, and the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale) with the HTQ. The area under the curve for this model was 79.4%, with a pooled sensitivity of 86.2% (95%CI 0.759; 0.925) and a specificity of 72.2% (95%CI 0.616; 0.808). Conclusions Our review identified several screening tools that perform well among refugees and asylum seekers, but no single tool was identified as being superior. The Refugee Health Screener holds promise as a practical instrument for use in immigration medical examinations because it supports the identification of PTSD, depression, and anxiety across diverse populations. Future research should consider tool characteristics beyond sensitivity and specificity to facilitate implementation in immigration medical exams. Registration Open Science Framework: 10.17605/OSF.IO/PHNJV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Magwood
- Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 6M1, Canada,Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada,Corresponding author at: Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 6M1, Canada.
| | - Kara Bellai-Dussault
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Grace Fox
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Chris McCutcheon
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 125 University, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada
| | - Owen Adams
- Canadian Medical Association, 1410 Blair Towers Place, Suite 500, Ottawa, ON K1J 9B9, Canada
| | - Ammar Saad
- Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Ave, Ottawa, ON K1R 6M1, Canada,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
| | - Azaad Kassam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave. E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada,Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, 1365 Richmond Rd #2, Ottawa, ON K2B 6R7, Canada,Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre, 291 Argyle, Ottawa, ON K2P 1B8, Canada
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13
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To Screen or Not to Screen: Exploring and Addressing Effective Screening Processes for Trauma Among Forced Migrants. J Migr Health 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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14
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Fuchs LM, von Scheve C. Refugee Belonging: How Values and Value Consensus Between Refugees and German Citizens Are Associated with Feeling Welcome and Spending Time Together. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION REVIEW 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/01979183221131555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
This article expands on the discussion of social and cultural factors for refugees’ feelings of belonging in the receiving society and assesses democratic, civic, and moral values as predictors of belonging. On the one hand, existing research considers shared values between refugees and the receiving society as hallmarks of integration. From this perspective, shared values (or value consensus) are considered predictors of refugees’ feelings of belonging and the formation of social bonds with host-country citizens. On the other hand, values are seen as part of refugees’ cultural capital. From this perspective, liberal and civic value contents, in particular, may promote feelings of belonging, irrespective of whether these values are widely shared with citizens of the host society. This article investigates these contrasting hypotheses, using data from a representative panel of refugees in Germany. Results show that refugees holding liberal democratic values are more likely to experience feelings of welcome in the receiving society. When operationalizing belonging also in terms of refugees spending time with host-country citizens, shared democratic and secular values become more important. Finally, this article suggests that the effect of value consensus on refugees’ feelings of welcome is mediated by how much time refugees spend with host-country citizens members. Taken together, our findings emphasize that in the context of international migration, values are important hallmarks of social integration, although this should not be reduced to popular calls for shared values between immigrants and host-country citizens.
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15
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Potter F, Dohrmann K, Rockstroh B, Schauer M, Crombach A. The impact of experiencing severe physical abuse in childhood on adolescent refugees' emotional distress and integration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1023252. [PMID: 36506980 PMCID: PMC9729708 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1023252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of pre- and post- migration stressors on refugees' mental health and integration. In addition to migration-associated stressors, experiences earlier in life such as physical abuse in childhood as well as current life stress as produced by the COVID-19-pandemic may impair mental health and successful integration - yet evidence on these further risks is still limited. The present study explicitly focused on the impact of severe physical abuse in childhood during the COVID-19 pandemic and evaluated the impact of these additional stressors on emotional distress and integration of refugees in Germany. Methods The sample included 80 refugees, 88.8% male, mean age 19.7 years. In a semi-structured interview, trained psychologists screened for emotional distress, using the Refugee Health Screener, and integration status, using the Integration Index. The experience of severe physical abuse in childhood was quantified as a yes/no response to the question: "Have you been hit so badly before the age of 15 that you had to go to hospital or needed medical attention?" Multiple hierarchical regression analyses further included gender, age, residence status, months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and length of stay in Germany to predict emotional distress and integration. Results Two regression analyses determined significant predictors of (1) emotional distress (adjusted R 2 = 0.23): duration of being in the pandemic (ß = 0.38, p < 0.001) and severe physical abuse in childhood (ß = 0.31, p = 0.005), and significant predictors of (2) integration (adjusted R 2 = 0.53): length of stay in Germany (ß = 0.62, p < 0.001), severe physical abuse in childhood (ß = 0.21, p = 0.019) and emotional distress (ß = -0.28, p = 0.002). Conclusion In addition to migration-associated stressors, severe physical abuse in childhood constitutes a pre-migration risk, which crucially affects the well-being, emotional distress and integration of refugees in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flurina Potter
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany,*Correspondence: Flurina Potter,
| | - Katalin Dohrmann
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | | | - Maggie Schauer
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Anselm Crombach
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany,Department of Psychology, University of Saarbrücken, Saarbrücken, Germany
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16
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The impact of an insecure asylum status on mental health of adult refugees in Germany. CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY IN EUROPE 2022; 4:e6587. [DOI: 10.32872/cpe.6587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Forcibly displaced people have a higher chance of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compared to people who have not experienced displacement. In addition to potentially traumatic events due to war, persecution, and flight, post-migration living stressors are an important influencing factor. Among these, an insecure asylum status is one of the main stressors with which forcibly displaced people must cope. The aim of this study was to investigate the additive effect of an insecure asylum status on PTSD symptomatology in refugees, over and above the influence of other pre- and peri-migration factors, in particular potentially traumatic event types reported and duration of stay in Germany.
Method
Two overlapping convenience samples of 177 and 65 adult refugees that were assessed at different timepoints were interviewed by means of face-to-face interviews. Interviews were conducted in either Arabic, Farsi, Kurmancî, English, or German with the assistance of interpreters where necessary. Besides residence status and potentially traumatic events experienced, mental distress was assessed via the Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15; Study A) and the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; Study B).
Results
In both samples, an insecure asylum status explained a significant additional amount of variance of PTSD symptomatology, on top of traumatic events experienced and time since arrival in Germany.
Conclusion
Results suggest that refugees with an insecure asylum status are at higher risk for experiencing increased PTSD symptomatology. Policy changes of asylum procedure in receiving countries could have a positive impact on refugees’ mental health.
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17
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Magwood O, Kassam A, Mavedatnia D, Mendonca O, Saad A, Hasan H, Madana M, Ranger D, Tan Y, Pottie K. Mental Health Screening Approaches for Resettling Refugees and Asylum Seekers: A Scoping Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063549. [PMID: 35329237 PMCID: PMC8953108 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Refugees and asylum seekers often face delayed mental health diagnoses, treatment, and care. COVID-19 has exacerbated these issues. Delays in diagnosis and care can reduce the impact of resettlement services and may lead to poor long-term outcomes. This scoping review aims to characterize studies that report on mental health screening for resettling refugees and asylum seekers pre-departure and post-arrival to a resettlement state. We systematically searched six bibliographic databases for articles published between 1995 and 2020 and conducted a grey literature search. We included publications that evaluated early mental health screening approaches for refugees of all ages. Our search identified 25,862 citations and 70 met the full eligibility criteria. We included 45 publications that described mental health screening programs, 25 screening tool validation studies, and we characterized 85 mental health screening tools. Two grey literature reports described pre-departure mental health screening. Among the included publications, three reported on two programs for women, 11 reported on programs for children and adolescents, and four reported on approaches for survivors of torture. Programs most frequently screened for overall mental health, PTSD, and depression. Important considerations that emerged from the literature include cultural and psychological safety to prevent re-traumatization and digital tools to offer more private and accessible self-assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Magwood
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
- Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, 25 University Private, Ottawa, ON K1N 7K4, Canada
| | - Azaad Kassam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, 75 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON K1N 6N5, Canada;
- Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre, 1365 Richmond Rd #2, Ottawa, ON K2B 6R7, Canada
- Ottawa Newcomer Health Centre, 291 Argyle, Ottawa, ON K2P 1B8, Canada
| | - Dorsa Mavedatnia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (D.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Oreen Mendonca
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
| | - Ammar Saad
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, 600 Peter Morand Crescent, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z3, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 5B2, Canada
| | - Hafsa Hasan
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Maria Madana
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 451 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada; (D.M.); (M.M.)
| | - Dominique Ranger
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
| | - Yvonne Tan
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
- Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Queen’s University, 99 University Ave, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Kevin Pottie
- C.T. Lamont Primary Care Research Center, Bruyère Research Institute, 85 Primrose Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1R 7G5, Canada; (O.M.); (O.M.); (A.S.); (H.H.); (D.R.); (Y.T.)
- Department of Family Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Correspondence:
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18
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Orang TM, Missmahl I, Thoele AM, Valensise L, Brenner A, Gardisi M, Peter H, Kluge U. New directions in the mental health care of migrants, including refugees-A randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of value-based counselling. Clin Psychol Psychother 2022; 29:1433-1446. [PMID: 35199419 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.2728] [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: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Specialized literature has identified a need for evidence-based, low-threshold, short-term, and intracultural psychological interventions that can be made available to migrants, including refugees, who suffer from psychological symptoms in host countries. The objective of the present study is to measure the efficacy of value-based counselling (VBC) as such an intervention. METHOD We conducted a pragmatic, rater-blinded randomized controlled trial employing a pre-post control group design to assess the efficacy of VBC based on a study sample of 103 migrants, including refugees, who resided in Germany at the time. A set of instruments was used to evaluate primary outcome measures of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceived stress, generalized anxiety, and somatic complaints. RESULTS Per protocol analysis included 42 participants in the VBC group, and 43 in the waiting list. Compared with participants in the waiting-list group, the VBC group, following an average of four counselling sessions, experienced a clinically meaningful reduction of depression (adjusted difference 7.06, 95% CI [4.86, 9.26], effect size 0.68, p < .001), PTSD (adjusted difference 17.15, 95% CI [10.49, 23.81], effect size 0.76, p < .001), perceived stress (adjusted difference 9.25, 95% CI [6.23, 12.27], effect size 0.75, p < .001), anxiety (adjusted difference 5.34, 95% CI [3.47, 7.20], effect size 0.70, p < .001), and somatic complaints (adjusted difference 5.52, 95% CI [3.30, 7.74], effect size 0.72, p < .001). The positive outcomes were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Utilization of mental health services was significantly reduced at the 3-month follow-up conducted with participants of the VBC group. CONCLUSIONS VBC, a culturally sensitive and strength-based mental health service, is an effective short-term intervention which meets the specific mental health needs of migrants, including refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahereh Mina Orang
- Ipso gGmbH - International Psychosocial Organisation, Berlin, Germany.,Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Inge Missmahl
- Ipso gGmbH - International Psychosocial Organisation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna-Maria Thoele
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Livia Valensise
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Brenner
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maryam Gardisi
- Ipso gGmbH - International Psychosocial Organisation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Peter
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Falkenried, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Kluge
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany.,Berliner Institut für empirische Integrations- und Migrationsforschung (BIM), Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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19
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Patterns of conflict-related trauma exposure and their relation to psychopathology: A person-centered analysis in a population-based sample from eastern DRC. SSM - MENTAL HEALTH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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20
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Cratsley K, Brooks MA, Mackey TK. Refugee Mental Health, Global Health Policy, and the Syrian Crisis. Front Public Health 2021; 9:676000. [PMID: 34414156 PMCID: PMC8369241 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.676000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The most recent global refugee figures are staggering, with over 82.4 million people forcibly displaced and 26.4 million registered refugees. The ongoing conflict in Syria is a major contributor. After a decade of violence and destabilization, over 13.4 million Syrians have been displaced, including 6.7 million internally displaced persons and 6.7 million refugees registered in other countries. Beyond the immediate political and economic challenges, an essential component of any response to this humanitarian crisis must be health-related, including policies and interventions specific to mental health. This policy and practice review addresses refugee mental health in the context of the Syrian crisis, providing an update and overview of the current situation while exploring new initiatives in mental health research and global health policy that can help strengthen and expand services. Relevant global health policy frameworks are first briefly introduced, followed by a short summary of recent research on refugee mental health. We then provide an update on the current status of research, service provision, and health policy in the leading destinations for Syrians who have been forcibly displaced. This starts within Syria and then turns to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Germany. Finally, several general recommendations are discussed, including the pressing need for more data at each phase of migration, the expansion of integrated mental health services, and the explicit inclusion and prioritization of refugee mental health in national and global health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelso Cratsley
- Department of Philosophy & Religion, American University, Washington, DC, United States
| | | | - Tim K. Mackey
- Global Health Program, Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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21
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Boettcher VS, Nowak AC, Neuner F. Mental health service utilization and perceived barriers to treatment among adult refugees in Germany. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2021; 12:1910407. [PMID: 34025926 PMCID: PMC8128119 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1910407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression are high among refugees in Germany. However, knowledge on subjective as well as objective need for psychotherapy and utilization of psychotherapeutic treatment is scarce. Both structural and personal barriers regarding utilization of mental health services must be addressed in order to increase treatment efficiency. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the objective as well as the perceived need for treatment, the utilization of mental health care among refugees in the past 12 months, and the perceived barriers to treatment. Method: By means of face-to-face interviews, an unselected convenience sample of 177 adult refugees were interviewed in either Arabic, Farsi, Kurmancî, English, or German. The general sample was reached through social workers. In addition to the Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15), utilization of psychotherapeutic and psychiatric care as well as the subjective needs and barriers to treatment were assessed. Results: According to the RHS-15 54.8% of participants (n = 97) suffered from relevant mental health problems. However, although 28 (28.9%) of the 97 participants who scored above the RHS-15 cut-off perceived a need for therapy, none of them had received psychotherapy as recommended by the German S3 Guidelines. Missing information about mental health and language difficulties were the most frequently cited barriers to mental health services. Conclusions: Psychologically distressed refugees do not receive sufficient treatment. The reduction of barriers to treatment as well as extension of mental health services to lower thresholds should be considered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria S Boettcher
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Anna C Nowak
- School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Frank Neuner
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
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22
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Hoell A, Kourmpeli E, Salize HJ, Heinz A, Padberg F, Habel U, Kamp-Becker I, Höhne E, Böge K, Bajbouj M. Prevalence of depressive symptoms and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder among newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers in Germany: systematic review and meta-analysis. BJPsych Open 2021; 7:e93. [PMID: 33938425 PMCID: PMC8142547 DOI: 10.1192/bjo.2021.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In total numbers, Germany has faced the largest number of refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) in Europe in the past decade. Although a considerable proportion have experienced traumatic and stressful life events, there is no systematic review to date examining the prevalence of depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in RAS in Germany. AIMS To calculate the prevalence of depressive symptoms and PTSD symptoms in the general population of RAS living in Germany after the year 2000 and explore the impact of study- and participant-related characteristics on prevalence estimates. METHOD We systematically searched PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PSYNDEX, Academic Search Complete, Science Direct and Web of Science from January 2000 to May 2020 to identify articles reporting prevalence of depressive symptoms and PTSD in RAS in Germany (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020182796). RESULTS In total, 31 different surveys met inclusion criteria with 20 surveys reporting prevalence estimates of depressive symptoms and 25 surveys symptoms of PTSD. Based on screening tools, the pooled prevalence estimate of PTSD symptoms was 29.9% (95% CI 20.8-38.7%) and of depressive symptoms 39.8% (95% CI 29.8-50.1%). Heterogeneity was large within and between subgroups. In multivariate meta-regressions on depressive symptoms, heterogeneity was largely explained by survey period, length of field period and study quality. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence rates of depressive symptoms and PTSD symptoms in RAS are notably large. They exceed the prevalence in the general German population. As a result of high heterogeneity, however, pooled prevalence rates should be interpreted with caution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hoell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eirini Kourmpeli
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans Joachim Salize
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Charité Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Frank Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Innenstadt, Clinic of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Inge Kamp-Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Human Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany
| | - Edgar Höhne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Human Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Germany
| | - Kerem Böge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Germany
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Germany
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23
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Hajak VL, Sardana S, Verdeli H, Grimm S. A Systematic Review of Factors Affecting Mental Health and Well-Being of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Germany. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:643704. [PMID: 33815176 PMCID: PMC8012840 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Since the onset of the 2015 European refugee crisis, ~4. 46 million people have sought asylum in the European Union, with Germany logging the largest share of all asylum applications. In addition to the severe adversities before and during flight, the process of settling into a new environment involves stressors that affect psychological well-being and mental health. The aim of this systematic review was to examine contextual factors during post-migration that influence the mental health and well-being of asylum seekers and refugees (ASRs) in Germany. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted across multiple databases for English and German studies published between 2015 and 2020 with index keywords. Results: From a total of 303 articles, 156 duplicates were removed and, after title review, another 87 were excluded for not meeting the inclusion criteria. After assessing the abstracts of the remaining 60 articles, 39 were excluded. Full texts of 21 articles were assessed for eligibility and after excluding 8 articles, 13 articles were included in the review. The results demonstrate high rates of psychological distress among ASRs in Germany and the significant influence of contextual factors on their mental health and psychological well-being. The risk factors for poor mental health include an uncertain asylum status, living in shared asylum accommodations, separation from the nuclear family, lack of German language skills, integration issues and discrimination, while employment is a protective factor. Conclusion: Asylum seekers and refugees have high prevalence rates of psychological distress directly influenced by contextual factors in Germany. Based on these findings, policy makers are strongly recommended to apply preventive strategies to reduce mental health problems of ASRs in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien L. Hajak
- Department of Psychology, Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Srishti Sardana
- Global Mental Health Laboratory, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Helen Verdeli
- Global Mental Health Laboratory, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Simone Grimm
- Department of Psychology, Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
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24
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Hollifield M, Toolson EC, Verbillis-Kolp S, Farmer B, Yamazaki J, Woldehaimanot T, Holland A. Distress and Resilience in Resettled Refugees of War: Implications for Screening. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18031238. [PMID: 33573131 PMCID: PMC7908567 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
There is little work published about predictors of specific trajectory types of distress in refugees of war during early resettlement in a host country. Data about distress (Refugee Health Screener—15 (RHS-15)) and possible predictors of distress were collected at the domestic medical examination (T1) within 90 days of arrival and the civil surgeon examination (T2) 11–16 months after T1 for refugee groups from three countries (COU). Descriptive, correlative, analyses of variance, and regression techniques were used to determine trajectory type and their predictors. A higher percentage (7.3%) were distressed at T2 than at T1. By group, the Bhutanese became more distressed, the Burmese became less distressed, and Iraqi’s continued to have high distress. A regression model showed gender, loss, post-migration stress, and self-efficacy to be significant predictors of trajectory type (R2 = 0.46). When the T1 RHS-15 score was added to the model, observed variance increased (R2 = 0.53) and T1 RHS score accounted for the majority of variance (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), with post-migration stress accounting for markedly less (β = 0.19, p = 0.03). Loss and self-efficacy became less significant. Loss was, however, a strong predictor of delayed and chronic distress trajectory type. These data suggest that screening for distress should occur at least twice during resettlement to detect those with initial distress and those with delayed distress. Screening should be coupled with identifying other social determinants of health and a comprehensive assessment to determine the need for intervention for secondary prevention (i.e., reducing delayed distress) and treatment (reducing chronic distress).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hollifield
- VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA 90822, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- War Survivors Institute, 5318 2nd Street, #703, Long Beach, CA, 90803, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Eric C. Toolson
- Department of Biology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA;
| | - Sasha Verbillis-Kolp
- Consultant, 3630 N. Winchell St., Portland, OR 97217, USA;
- Portland State University School of Social Work, Academic Student Recreation Center, Ste. 600, 1800 SW 6th Ave., Portland, OR 97201, USA
| | - Beth Farmer
- International Rescue Committee, 1200 S. 192nd St., SeaTac, WA 98148, USA;
| | - Junko Yamazaki
- Asian Counseling and Referral Service, Seattle, WA 98144, USA; (J.Y.); (T.W.)
| | | | - Annette Holland
- Public Health Seattle & King County, Seattle, WA 98121, USA;
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Rayes D, Karnouk C, Churbaji D, Walther L, Bajbouj M. Faith-Based Coping Among Arabic-Speaking Refugees Seeking Mental Health Services in Berlin, Germany: An Exploratory Qualitative Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:595979. [PMID: 33633605 PMCID: PMC7901912 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.595979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The benefits of faith-based coping or using religious and spiritual beliefs as a stabilizing force for interpreting stressful or distressing events are largely unexplored among the exodus of Arabic-speaking refugee populations from Muslim-majority countries, particularly those resettled in Europe. The present study aimed to explore the manifestation of faith-based coping strategies among Arabic-speaking refugee adults seeking mental healthcare services in Berlin, Germany and explore how favorable faith-based coping strategies can be optimized from a mental health service-delivery and broader integration perspective. Methods: A total of 17 qualitative interviews were conducted with Arabic-speaking refugee adults (six females, 11 males) seeking mental health services at the Charité Universitaetsmedizin in Berlin. Research questions aimed to solicit comprehensive perspectives from refugee adults on their mental health, with an emphasis on faith-based coping, and how this facilitated or impeded their integration into German society. Interview transcripts were translated to English from Arabic and analyzed using MAXQDA (2018) to highlight thematic patterns using a grounded theory approach. Results: Findings were structured into four themes, including: (I) faith-based coping methods during flight, (II) changes in faith practices upon arrival, (III) faith-based coping methods to address distress during integration, and (IV) advice for German mental healthcare providers. Participants who demonstrated a stronger commitment to faith were more likely to utilize faith-based coping strategies when seeking mental health services and facing the challenges of displacement and integration. Examples of faith-based coping included prayer, supplication, reciting scripture, and seeking help from a local religious leader. Conclusion: The findings suggest how faith and faith practices play a significant role in the mental health and integration of refugee populations in Germany and provide insight on how mental healthcare can be delivered in a culturally-sensitive manner, providing alternatives to the social, cultural, and linguistic barriers posed by the German health system. These findings are particularly relevant for mental health professionals, non-governmental organizations, and humanitarian aid agencies providing mental healthcare to Arabic-speaking populations recently resettled in Western contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Rayes
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Carine Karnouk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dana Churbaji
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Lena Walther
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Führer A, Niedermaier A, Kalfa V, Mikolajczyk R, Wienke A. Serious shortcomings in assessment and treatment of asylum seekers' mental health needs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239211. [PMID: 33027307 PMCID: PMC7540848 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of psychological complaints is known to be very high in populations of asylum seekers. Despite this, data on the health care system's ability to adequately meet these high-risk populations' mental health needs are scarce. This article investigates how well the German outpatient health care system is able to detect and adequately treat them. METHODS To this end, we combined data from a cross-sectional survey with billing data from the local social welfare office from the year 2015. Using descriptive statistics, the data of the cross-sectional study are used to quantify the psychological health care needs of asylum seekers while the secondary data analysis indicates the actual access to and extent of psychological treatment. RESULTS In the cross-sectional study, 54% of patients were screened positive for symptoms of depression, 41% for symptoms of anxiety disorder and 18% for symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. In total, 59% were screened positive for at least one of these three disorders. However, when contrasting these screening-based prevalences with the prevalences based on data from the health care system, a mismatch becomes apparent: According to the social welfare office's billing data, only 2.6% of asylum seekers received the diagnosis of depression, 1.4% were diagnosed with anxiety disorder and 2.9% with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In combination, 4.9% were diagnosed with at least one of these three disorders. Overall, less than one tenth of asylum seekers with symptoms of depression, anxiety or PTSD received the corresponding diagnosis by the health care system. Among those who were diagnosed, about 45% received no treatment at all, while 38% were treated with drugs alone. Only 1% of all patients received psychotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Psychological complaints are very common among asylum seekers, yet only a small proportion of this population receives the corresponding diagnoses and treatment. While various factors can contribute to these shortcomings, there is an urgent need to systematically address this deficit and introduce measures to improve mental health care for this high-risk population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amand Führer
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andreas Niedermaier
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Vivian Kalfa
- Psychosocial Centre for Refugees and Victims of Torture (PSZ), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rafael Mikolajczyk
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Andreas Wienke
- Institute of Medical Epidemiology, Biometrics and Informatics, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
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Walther L, Kröger H, Tibubos AN, Ta TMT, von Scheve C, Schupp J, Hahn E, Bajbouj M. Psychological distress among refugees in Germany: a cross-sectional analysis of individual and contextual risk factors and potential consequences for integration using a nationally representative survey. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e033658. [PMID: 32819926 PMCID: PMC7440818 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Responding to the mental health needs of refugees remains a pressing challenge worldwide. We estimated the prevalence of psychological distress in a large refugee population in Germany and assessed its association with host country factors amenable to policy intervention and integration indicators. DESIGN A cross-sectional and population-based secondary analysis of the 2017 wave of the IAB-BAMF-SOEP refugee survey. SETTING Germany. PARTICIPANTS 2639 adult refugees who arrived in Germany between 2013 and 2016. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Psychological distress involving symptoms of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder was measured using the Refugee Health Screener-13. RESULTS Almost half of the population surveyed (41.2% (95% CI: 37.9% to 44.6%)) was affected by mild, moderate or severe levels of psychological distress. 10.9% (8.4% to 13.5%) of the population screened positive for severe distress indicative of an urgent need for care. Prevalence of distress was particularly high for females (53.0% (47.2% to 58.8%)), older refugees (aged ≥55, 70.4% (58.5% to 82.2%)) and Afghans (61.5% (53.5% to 69.5%)). Individuals under threat of deportation were at a greater risk of distress than protection status holder (risk ratio: 1.55 (95% CI: 1.14 to 2.10)), single males at a greater risk than males with nuclear families living in Germany (1.34 (1.04 to 1.74)) and those in refugee housing facilities at a greater risk than those in private housing (1.21 (1.02 to 1.43)). Distressed males had a lower likelihood of employment (0.67 (0.52 to 0.86)) and reduced participation in integration courses (0.90 (0.81 to 0.99)). A trend of reduced participation in educational programmes was observed in affected females (0.42 (0.17 to 1.01)). CONCLUSION The finding that a substantial minority of refugees in Germany exhibits symptoms of distress calls for an expansion of mental health services for this population. Service providers and policy-makers should consider the increased prevalence among female, older and Afghan refugees, as well as among single males, residents in housing facilities and those under threat of deportation. The associations between mental health and integration processes such as labour market, educational programme and integration course participation also warrant consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Walther
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hannes Kröger
- Sozio-oekonomisches Panel, Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung eV, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ana Nanette Tibubos
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz, Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
| | - Thi Minh Tam Ta
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian von Scheve
- Sozio-oekonomisches Panel, Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung eV, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Sociology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Schupp
- Sozio-oekonomisches Panel, Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung eV, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Sociology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Eric Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Kaltenbach E, Hermenau K, Schauer M, Dohrmann K, Elbert T, Schalinski I. Trajectories of posttraumatic stress symptoms during and after Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in refugees. BMC Psychiatry 2020; 20:312. [PMID: 32552778 PMCID: PMC7298826 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-020-02720-y] [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] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trauma-focused therapy approaches are recommended as treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This includes the treatment of trauma-related suffering in refugee populations. However, there is a lack of knowledge about symptom trajectories in refugees living in volatile conditions. This has led to fear of "retraumatisation" and general skepticism in clinicians concerning the use of exposure therapy. METHODS To test the relevance of this concern, we investigated PTSD symptom trajectories and potentially influencing factors during the course of Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) in a refugee sample living in Germany. Refugees filled out the PTSD Checklist prior to each treatment session and also during follow-up interviews. Therapists continuously documented positive and negative life events as well as the content of the treatment sessions. Additionally, structured clinical interviews were conducted pre-treatment and at follow-up time points. RESULTS On average, clients presented with substantial decreases in PTSD symptoms already during and after NET. However, symptom trajectories differed and ranged from fast responders to slow responders to no immediate response during treatment. Importantly, a persistent worsening of symptoms was not observed, also not after exposure to the most distressing events. In contrast, stressful life experiences seemed to aggravate PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with earlier studies, NET leads to clinically and behaviorally relevant reductions in PTSD symptoms both throughout and following treatment in refugees living in volatile conditions. Concerns about imaginal exposure in refugees were not substantiated. While stressful life events contributed to transient symptom increases, they weren't found to prevent the overall effectiveness of NET. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02852616.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Kaltenbach
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany. .,Centre for Research in Family Health, IWK Health Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada. .,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Katharin Hermenau
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maggie Schauer
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Katalin Dohrmann
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Elbert
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany
| | - Inga Schalinski
- grid.9811.10000 0001 0658 7699Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany ,Vivo International e.V., Konstanz, Germany ,Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Medical Psychology, Berlin, Germany
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Lacour O, Morina N, Spaaij J, Nickerson A, Schnyder U, von Känel R, Bryant RA, Schick M. Prolonged Grief Disorder Among Refugees in Psychological Treatment-Association With Self-Efficacy and Emotion Regulation. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:526. [PMID: 32581893 PMCID: PMC7291948 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) among refugees has recently started to attract scientific attention, knowledge regarding associated psychological factors remains limited. Given the multifactorial context of persecution, trauma, displacement, and exile-related difficulties, obtaining a better understanding of PGD in refugees is crucial because PGD may affect psychological well-being, level of functioning, and social integration. METHODS In a sample of refugees receiving psychological treatment in Switzerland (N = 88), we examined the relationship between severity of PGD and potentially associated factors such as emotion regulation, perceived self-efficacy, as well as potentially traumatic events and post-migration living difficulties. RESULTS In a regression analysis, difficulties in emotion regulation and lower perceived self-efficacy were associated with greater severity of PGD, while post-migration living difficulties and potentially traumatic events did not emerge as significant factors. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that emotion regulation and perceived self-efficacy are associated with PGD in refugees in psychological treatment and are thus potential targets for treatment interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriane Lacour
- Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Naser Morina
- Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Julia Spaaij
- Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Nickerson
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ulrich Schnyder
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland von Känel
- Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Richard A. Bryant
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthis Schick
- Department of Consultation-Liaison-Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Reflective Functioning of Refugee Mothers with Children Born of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17082873. [PMID: 32326331 PMCID: PMC7216145 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The ability of a parent to step back from their own experiences in order to understand those of their child, reflective functioning (RF), can be impacted by myriad factors. We explored RF among refugee mothers in the context of having a child born of sexual violence (CBSV). A sample of 10 mothers now residing in the Netherlands, both with (n = 5) and without (n = 5) a CBSV, were interviewed, seeking to explore parents’ representations of their children, themselves as parents, and their relationship with their children. After deriving a score of RF, interview narratives were qualitatively analyzed using thematic analysis. An ordinary level of reflective functioning was identified in this sample overall (average score 4.5); which was reduced in the group with CBSV (average score 3.0). Trends within the qualitative analyses indicated that emotion regulation and ambivalence as well as parenting challenges are factors that affect RF capabilities for mothers with CBSV. Wider findings show that the asylum process and mental well-being also impinge on RF capabilities. Experiences of having a CBSV as well as those pertaining to being a refugee appear to interact and impact reflective functioning for some mothers. Further investigation would add weight to this pilot data.
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Traumatic Experiences and Mental Health Risk for Refugees. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17061943. [PMID: 32188119 PMCID: PMC7143439 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17061943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Refugees who settle in Western countries exhibit a high rate of mental health issues, which are often related to experiences throughout the pre-displacement, displacement, and post-displacement processes. Early detection of mental health symptoms could increase positive outcomes in this vulnerable population. The rates and predictors of positive screenings for mental health symptoms were examined among a large sample of refugees, individuals with special immigrant visas, and parolees/entrants (N = 8149) from diverse nationalities. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine if demographic factors and witnessing/experiencing violence predicted positive screenings. On a smaller subset of the sample, we calculated referral acceptance rate by country of origin. Refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan were most likely to exhibit a positive screening for mental health symptoms. Refugees from Sudan, Iraq, and Syria reported the highest rate of experiencing violence, whereas those from Iraq, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo reported the highest rate of witnessing violence. Both witnessing and experiencing violence predicted positive Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15) scores. Further, higher age and female gender predicted positive RHS-15 scores, though neither demographic variable was correlated with accepting a referral for mental health services. The findings from this study can help to identify characteristics that may be associated with risk for mental health symptoms among a refugee population.
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Wilker S, Catani C, Wittmann J, Preusse M, Schmidt T, May T, Ertl V, Doering B, Rosner R, Zindler A, Neuner F. The efficacy of Narrative Exposure Therapy for Children (KIDNET) as a treatment for traumatized young refugees versus treatment as usual: study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial (YOURTREAT). Trials 2020; 21:185. [PMID: 32059695 PMCID: PMC7023740 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-4127-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Germany hosts a large number of refugees from war-affected countries. The integration of refugees, in particular young refugees from the Middle East, is one of the major current social challenges in Germany. Mental disorders, first of all post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that results from war experiences, are common among young refugees and interfere with quality of life as well as functional integration. Evidence regarding effective treatment options for this population is scarce. In this trial, we aim to evaluate the pragmatic, short-term psychotherapy Narrative Exposure Therapy for Children (KIDNET) for the treatment of young refugees in Germany. METHODS In a rater-blinded, multi-center, randomized-controlled trial, KIDNET is compared to treatment as usual (TAU) within the general health care system. A total number of 80 young refugees who fulfill the diagnostic criteria of PTSD will be randomized to either KIDNET or TAU. Diagnostic interviews will take place at baseline before treatment as well as 6 and 12 months thereafter. They will assess exposure to traumatic events, PTSD and comorbid symptoms, as well as parameters of integration. DISCUSSION The results of this study should provide evidence regarding effective treatment options for young refugees in Germany, a population that has been understudied and received only limited access to mental health care so far. Next to the effects of treatment on mental health outcomes, integration parameters will be investigated. Therefore, this study should provide broad insights into treatment options for young refugees and their potential implications on successful integration. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien; DRKS), ID: DRKS00017222. Registered on 15 May 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wilker
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany.
| | - Claudia Catani
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Jasmin Wittmann
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Melissa Preusse
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Telja Schmidt
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Theodor May
- Independent Biostatistician, Johann-Strauß-Str. 11a, 33647, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Verena Ertl
- Clinical Psychology and Biopsychology, Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, 85071, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Bettina Doering
- Clinical Psychology and Biopsychology, Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, 85071, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Rita Rosner
- Clinical Psychology and Biopsychology, Catholic University Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, 85071, Eichstätt, Germany
| | - Areej Zindler
- Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Outpatient Clinic for Refugee Children and Adolescents, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Neuner
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Bielefeld University, Universitätsstraße 25, 33615, Bielefeld, Germany
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Fox SD, Griffin RH, Pachankis JE. Minority stress, social integration, and the mental health needs of LGBTQ asylum seekers in North America. Soc Sci Med 2020; 246:112727. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Hanewald B, Knipper M, Fleck W, Pons-Kühnemann J, Hahn E, Ta TMT, Brosig B, Gallhofer B, Mulert C, Stingl M. Different Patterns of Mental Health Problems in Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM): A Sequential Mixed Method Study. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:324. [PMID: 32411027 PMCID: PMC7198874 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) represent one of the most vulnerable refugee groups due to their young age, developmental status, and insufficient coping strategies. Clinical observations indicate that the frequency of mental health problems varies between different URM subgroups. In the present research project, clinical interviews as a source of qualitative data were combined with quantitative psychometric information in a mixed-method approach in order to study the patterns of mental health problems in 561 URM from four different language groups (Arabic, Farsi, Somali, and Tigrinya) immediately after arrival in the host country (Germany). Qualitative analysis obtained as differentiating categories "language, countries of origin, age, and gender"; quantitatively, the Refugee Health Screener (RHS-15) was applied. According to the positive screening results, the highest number of mental complaints was returned by children and adolescents speaking Farsi (65.9%) and Somali (65.8%). They were followed by URM speaking Arabic (49.4%) and Tigrinya (43.3%). The results were influenced not only by origin, but also by age (with higher burden among older Farsi-speaking URM) and gender (with higher burden among male URM). Although the prevalences in URM subgroups differ, the observed high rates of positive screening results in our sample of URM from Germany substantiate the need for early detection of mental complaints and appropriate mental health care for at least every second URM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Hanewald
- Centre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Michael Knipper
- Institute of History of Medicine, Culture, Migration & Global Health, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Jörn Pons-Kühnemann
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Eric Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Thi Minh Tam Ta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Burkhard Brosig
- Department of Family Psychosomatics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernd Gallhofer
- Centre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christoph Mulert
- Centre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Stingl
- Centre for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Führer A. „Da muss sich jemand anders kümmern“ – Die medizinische Versorgung von Asylsuchenden als Herausforderung für eine bio-psycho-soziale Medizin. DAS GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2019; 82:151-156. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1026-6190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
ZUSAMMENFASSUNG
Ziel der Studie Die Medizin wird verschiedentlich dafür kritisiert, die biologischen Facetten von Gesundheit und Krankheit gegenüber gesellschaftlichen Einflüssen zu privilegieren. Gegen diesen Vorwurf hat sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten ein medizintheoretischer Ansatz etabliert, der ein bio-psycho-soziales Krankheitskonzept vertritt. Dieser Artikel nutzt ethnografische Perspektiven auf die medizinische Versorgung von Asylsuchenden, um zu untersuchen, inwiefern die Prinzipien der bio-psycho-sozialen Medizin in Bezug auf die wissenschaftlich fundierte Berücksichtigung gesellschaftlicher Einflüsse auf die Gesundheit und Krankheit dieser Patientengruppe verwirklicht werden.
Methoden Dabei findet ein ethnografisches Methodenrepertoire mit narrativen Interviews, Leitfadeninterviews und teilnehmender Beobachtung Anwendung.
Ergebnisse Anhand des Umgangs mit den rechtlichen Rahmenbedingungen der medizinischen Versorgung von Asylsuchenden und mit Sprachinkongruenz wird gezeigt, dass es Ärzt/-innen regelmäßig nicht gelingt, die gesundheitsbezogene Lebenswelt dieser Patientengruppe adäquat und wissenschaftlichen Standards entsprechend in Diagnostik und Therapie zu berücksichtigen. Stattdessen rekurrieren sie im klinischen Alltag häufig auf improvisierte Lösungsansätze oder verschieben die Verantwortung auf andere, oft unbenannte Akteure.
Schlussfolgerung Sozialwissenschaftliche Ansätze, v. a. aus der Medizinanthropologie, könnten diese zu Versorgungsdefiziten führenden Schwierigkeiten beheben und sollten daher vermehrt in die ärztliche Aus- und Weiterbildung integriert werden. Dadurch könnten zudem theoretische und methodische Lücken geschlossen werden, die möglicherweise auch in der Versorgung anderer Patientengruppen bedeutsam sind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amand Führer
- Institut für Medizinische Epidemiologie, Biometrie und Informatik, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle
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Olff M, Amstadter A, Armour C, Birkeland MS, Bui E, Cloitre M, Ehlers A, Ford JD, Greene T, Hansen M, Lanius R, Roberts N, Rosner R, Thoresen S. A decennial review of psychotraumatology: what did we learn and where are we going? Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019; 10:1672948. [PMID: 31897268 PMCID: PMC6924542 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1672948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
On 6 December 2019 we start the 10th year of the European Journal of Psychotraumatogy (EJPT), a full Open Access journal on psychotrauma. This editorial is part of a special issue/collection celebrating the 10 years anniversary of the journal where we will acknowledge some of our most impactful articles of the past decade (also discussed below and marked with * in the reference list). In this editorial the editors present a decennial review of the field addressing a range of topics that are core to both the journal and to psychotraumatology as a discipline. These include neurobiological developments (genomics, neuroimaging and neuroendocrine research), forms of trauma exposure and impact across the lifespan, mass trauma and early interventions, work-related trauma, trauma in refugee populations, and the potential consequences of trauma such as PTSD or Complex PTSD, but also resilience. We address innovations in psychological, medication (enhanced) and technology-assisted treatments, mediators and moderators like social support and finally how new research methods help us to gain insights in symptom structures or to better predict symptom development or treatment success. We aimed to answer three questions 1. Where did we stand in 2010? 2. What did we learn in the past 10 years? 3. What are our knowledge gaps? We conclude with a number of recommendations concerning top priorities for the future direction of the field of psychotraumatology and correspondingly the journal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Olff
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam
University Medical Centers (location AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam
Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- ARQ National Psychotrauma
Centre, Diemen, The Netherlands
| | - Ananda Amstadter
- Departemnts of Psychiatry, Psychology, &
Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond,
USA
| | - Cherie Armour
- School of Psychology, Queens University
Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Marianne S. Birkeland
- Section for implementation and treatment
research, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress Studies, Oslo
Norway
| | - Eric Bui
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts
General Hospital & Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,
USA
| | - Marylene Cloitre
- National Center for PTSD Dissemination and
Training Division, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Anke Ehlers
- Department of Experimental Psychology,
University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Julian D. Ford
- Department of Psychiatry, University of
Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, USA
| | - Talya Greene
- Department of Community Mental Health,
University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maj Hansen
- Department of Psychology,
Odense, Denmark
| | - Ruth Lanius
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Research
Unit, Western University of Canada, London, ON,
Canada
| | - Neil Roberts
- Psychology and Psychological Therapies
Directorate, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Cardiff,
UK
- Division of Psychological Medicine &
Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff,
UK
| | - Rita Rosner
- Department of Clinical and Biological
Psychology, KU Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Eichstaett,
Germany
| | - Siri Thoresen
- Section for trauma, catastrophes and forced
migration – children and youth, Norwegian Centre for Violence and Traumatic Stress
Studies, Oslo, Norway
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Scharpf F, Kyaruzi E, Landolt MA, Hecker T. Prevalence and co-existence of morbidity of posttraumatic stress and functional impairment among Burundian refugee children and their parents. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019; 10:1676005. [PMID: 31681466 PMCID: PMC6807941 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1676005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although the family constitutes the prime source of risk and resilience for the well-being of children growing up in adverse conditions, the mental health of children living in refugee camps has rarely been investigated in conjunction with their parents' mental health. Objectives: To examine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems among Burundian refugee children and their parents living in Tanzanian refugee camps and to identify patterns of comorbidity among children and their parents based on PTSD symptom levels and functional impairment. Methods: We recruited a representative sample of 230 children aged 7-15 years and both of their parents (n = 690) and conducted separate structured clinical interviews. Latent Class Analysis was applied to identify patterns of comorbidity. Results: Children and parents were exposed to multiple traumatic event types. In total, 5.7% of children fulfilled DSM-5 criteria for PTSD in the past month and 10.9% reported enhanced levels of other mental health problems. 42.6% indicated clinically significant functional impairment due to PTSD symptoms. PTSD prevalence was higher among mothers (32.6%) and fathers (29.1%). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) revealed a familial accumulation of PTSD symptoms as children with high symptom levels and impairment were likely to live in families with two traumatized parents. Conclusions: Although the number of children who need support for trauma-related mental health problems was relatively low, taking into account parental trauma could aid to identify at-risk children with elevated PTSD symptom levels and impairment even in the face of existing barriers to mental health care access for children in refugee camp settings (e.g. lack of targeted services, prioritization of managing daily stressors).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Scharpf
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Edna Kyaruzi
- Department of Educational Psychology and Curriculum Studies, Dar es salaam University College of Education, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Markus A Landolt
- University Children's Hospital Zurich and Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Hecker
- Department of Psychology, Bielefeld University and Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Bielefeld, Germany
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Shaw S, Karim H, Bellows N, Pillai V. Emotional distress among Rohingya refugees in Malaysia. INTERVENTION 2019. [DOI: 10.4103/intv.intv_8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Comtesse H, Rosner R. Prolonged grief disorder among asylum seekers in Germany: the influence of losses and residence status. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2019; 10:1591330. [PMID: 30988893 PMCID: PMC6450486 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2019.1591330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Besides the high exposure to traumatic events, many refugees to Europe experienced tremendous interpersonal losses. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the rate and potential risk factors of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in recently fled asylum seekers who lived in collective accommodations in Germany. Method: Three groups of asylum seekers from different countries (N = 99) completed the Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report Version (TGI-SR), Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5 (PCL-5), and Patient Health Questionnaire depression module (PHQ-9). Individuals in Group 1 were waiting for asylum decisions (n = 29), Group 2 members were in appeal against rejected asylum claims (n = 32), and Group 3 members had been permitted temporary residence status (n = 38). Results: The loss of a loved person was reported by 92% of participants. The criteria for provisional PGD diagnosis according to Prigerson criteria were met by 20% of participants, 16% fulfilled the criteria for DSM-5 persistent complex bereavement disorder. Probable posttraumatic stress disorder (45%) and depression (42%) rates were high. The total number of lost nuclear family members and PTSD symptoms were associated with higher and temporary residence status was predicted lower PGD symptom levels. Conclusions: These results show that a substantial proportion of asylum seekers suffer from PGD. This points to the need to screen for problematic grief in the current refugee population in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Comtesse
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, D-Eichstaett, Germany
| | - Rita Rosner
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, D-Eichstaett, Germany
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Abstract
The recent inflow of refugees to Sweden has put pressure on health care as well as revealing a need for methods regarding assessment of refugees' mental health status. The present study investigated the use of the Refugee Health Screener (RHS; Hollifield et al., 2013) to distinguish among severity levels of symptoms of psychological distress in refugees. Refugees residing in asylum accommodations (n = 510) were screened with RHS-13, together with screeners for depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Risk for mild, moderate, or severe levels of depression, anxiety, or/and PTSD was used as screening proxy. Receiver operating characteristic analysis rendered cutoff scores of 11, 18, and 25, for mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. Evaluated against each symptom scale separately, cutoffs performed well. Cutoff 11, previously identified by Hollifield et al. (2016), was also confirmed. However, utilization of additional cutoffs could improve refugee mental health by guiding clinical decision making.
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Munz D, Melcop N. The psychotherapeutic care of refugees in Europe: treatment needs, delivery reality and recommendations for action. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2018; 9:1476436. [PMID: 29963296 PMCID: PMC6022238 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2018.1476436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The special issue of the European Journal of Psychotraumatology released on 7 November 2017 focused on traumatized refugees and on the mental health burden, screening instruments and interventions in different groups of refugees. This contribution takes up this discussion on the needs and challenges for mental healthcare of traumatized refugees from the point of view of the practitioners. It reports on the findings of a survey on the treatment situation and the delivery reality of healthcare for refugees in 14 European countries, identifies treatment gaps, and sets recommendations for action at the political and therapeutic levels. The survey was conducted by the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists with the assistance of the Network for Psychotherapeutic Care in Europe. The findings underline the need for appropriate mental healthcare for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietrich Munz
- Bundes Psychotherapeuten Kammer (BPtK), Berlin, Germany
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Kaltenbach E, Schauer M, Hermenau K, Elbert T, Schalinski I. Course of Mental Health in Refugees-A One Year Panel Survey. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:352. [PMID: 30123145 PMCID: PMC6086111 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cross-sectional studies indicate that a substantial proportion of refugees have psychiatric disorders. However, longitudinal studies on the course of psychiatric symptoms and on influencing factors are scarce. The current study investigates the development of symptoms in an untreated refugee sample in Germany and seeks to identify potential predictors. Methods: Over the course of 1 year, 57 refugees participated in monthly assisted self-reports on the phone assessing emotional distress. At the same time, semi-annual, semi-structured clinical interviews focusing on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression were conducted. The overall dropout rate for the year was 23% for the assisted self-reports and 33% for the clinical interviews. Results: Symptoms did not systematically change over the course of the year. On the individual level, a reliable change in PTSD symptoms was observed in 13% who showed improvement and 24% who showed worsening symptoms. Figures for depression symptoms were 24 and 16% respectively. A higher number of traumatic experiences was related to a greater intensity of PTSD symptoms. In addition, postmigrational stressors were associated with a worsening of PTSD symptoms over the course of the year. Emotional distress was associated with current negative life events, unemployment, and frequent visits to physicians. Conclusions: There is on average no improvement or worsening of symptoms over the period of 1 year. However, individual courses vary, and thus show the importance of risk factors. Accordingly, the identification of risk factors such as trauma load and postmigrational stressors can be useful to determine the need of further monitoring and to provide appropriate interventions when necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Kaltenbach
- Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maggie Schauer
- Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Katharin Hermenau
- Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Thomas Elbert
- Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Inga Schalinski
- Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, Universität Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Knaevelsrud C, Stammel N, Olff M. Traumatized refugees: identifying needs and facing challenges for mental health care. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2017; 8:1388103. [PMID: 29152160 PMCID: PMC5678445 DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2017.1388103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years the number of refugees worldwide has increased dramatically. Many of them were traumatized in their homelands due to violent conflict or persecution, as well as during their flight, and are confronted with ongoing stressors in the exile countries. In order to contribute to enhancing the clinical knowledge, this special issue of the European Journal of Psychotraumatology focuses on traumatized refugees. It includes three review articles as well as four original articles on the mental health burden, screening instruments and interventions in different groups of refugees. The articles published in this special issue focus on important aspects of better understanding the needs of traumatized refugees, as well as on identifying and offering appropriate mental health care for this population. Future research recommendations are provided in the hope to contribute to improving mental health care strategies of this still underserved population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Knaevelsrud
- European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Department of Education and Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Department of Education and Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychological Intervention, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.,Center Überleben (former Center for Torture Victims), Berlin, Germany
| | - Miranda Olff
- European Journal of Psychotraumatology, Department of Psychiatry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam.,Arq Psychotrauma Expert Group, Diemen, The Netherlands
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