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Côté-Olijnyk M, Perry JC, Paré MÈ, Kronick R. The mental health of migrants living in limbo: A mixed-methods systematic review with meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2024; 337:115931. [PMID: 38733932 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115931] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The number of forcibly displaced people has more than doubled over the past decade. Many people fleeing are left in limbo without a secure pathway to citizenship or residency. This mixed-methods systematic review reports the prevalence of mental disorders in migrants living in limbo, the association between limbo and mental illness, and the experiences of these migrants in high income countries. We searched electronic databases for quantitative and qualitative studies published after January 1, 2010, on mental illness in precarious migrants living in HICs and performed a meta-analysis of prevalence rates. Fifty-eight articles met inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis yielded prevalence rates of 43.0 % for anxiety disorders (95 % CI 29.0-57.0), 49.5 % for depression (40.9-58.0) and 40.8 % for posttraumatic stress disorder (30.7-50.9). Having an insecure status was associated with higher rates of mental illness in most studies comparing migrants in limbo to those with secure status. Six themes emerged from the qualitative synthesis: the threat of deportation, uncertainty, social exclusion, stigmatization, social connection and religion. Clinicians should take an ecosocial approach to care that attends to stressors and symptoms. Furthermore, policymakers can mitigate the development of mental disorders among migrants by adopting policies that ensure rapid pathways to protected status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J Christopher Perry
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Paré
- University of Montreal, Department of Anthropology, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Cegep Édouard-Montpetit, Department of Anthropology, Longueuil, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rachel Kronick
- McGill University, Department of Psychiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Social and Transcultural Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Burr L, Dykxhoorn J, Hollander AC, Dalman C, Kirkbride JB. Refugee status and the incidence of affective psychotic disorders and non-psychotic bipolar disorder: A register-based cohort study of 1.3m people in Sweden. J Affect Disord 2024; 352:43-50. [PMID: 38360360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees are at increased risk of non-affective psychotic disorders, but it is unclear whether this extends to affective psychotic disorders [APD] or non-psychotic bipolar disorder [NPB]. METHODS We conducted a nationwide cohort study in Sweden of all refugees, non-refugee migrants and the Swedish-born population, born 1 Jan 1984-31 Dec 2016. We followed participants from age 14 years until first ICD-10 diagnosis of APD or NPB. We fitted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios [HR] and 95 % confidence intervals [95%CI], adjusted for age, sex and family income. Models were additionally stratified by region-of-origin. RESULTS We followed 1.3 million people for 15.1 million person-years, including 2428 new APD cases (rate: 16.0 per 100,000 person-years; 95%CI: 15.4-16.7) and 9425 NPB cases (rate: 63.8; 95%CI: 62.6-65.1). Rates of APD were higher in refugee (HRadjusted: 2.07; 95%CI: 1.55-2.78) and non-refugee migrants (HRadjusted: 1.40; 95%CI: 1.16-1.68), but lower for NPBs for refugee (HRadjusted: 0.24; 95%CI: 0.16-0.38) and non-refugee migrants (HRadjusted: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.28-0.41), compared with the Swedish-born. APD rates were elevated for both migrant groups from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, but not other regions. Migrant groups from all regions-of-origin experienced lower rates of NPB. LIMITATIONS Income may have been on the causal pathway making adjustment inappropriate. CONCLUSIONS Refugees experience elevated rates of APD compared with Swedish-born and non-refugee migrants, but lower rates of NPB. This specificity of excess risk warrants clinical and public health investment in appropriate psychosis care for these vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Christina Dalman
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Kirsch J, Maleku A, Kim YK, Aziz T, Dada S, Haran H, Kitchens K. The Correlates of Collective and Individual Trauma on Mental Health Outcomes Among Afghan Refugees: A Study of Sociodemographic Differences. Community Ment Health J 2024:10.1007/s10597-024-01283-6. [PMID: 38691243 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-024-01283-6] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Following the U.S. military's departure from Afghanistan, a significant number of Afghan refugees have resettled in the United States, presenting complex mental health challenges exacerbated by extensive traumatic exposure. This demographic is particularly affected by collective trauma due to war, genocide, and the loss of homeland. However, detailed investigations into the correlations between collective trauma and mental health outcomes among Afghan refugees are limited. This study sought to explore the relationship between collective trauma and mental health outcomes within the Afghan refugee population in the United States, paying particular attention to the influence of sociodemographic factors. Identifying subgroups at greater risk allows for the development of more targeted mental health interventions. The study surveyed 173 Afghan refugees employing snowball sampling, utilizing a cross-sectional design. Data collection was facilitated through online and in-person surveys in English, Dari, and Pashto. Key measures included the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire for individual trauma experiences, the Historical Loss Scale for collective trauma, the Historical Loss Associated Symptoms Scale for collective trauma symptoms, the Afghan Symptom Checklist-22 for mental health symptoms, and the Post-Migration Living Difficulties Scale for post-migration stressors. Statistical analyses involved Pearson's correlation for variable associations, with nonparametric Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests conducted to assess sociodemographic impacts due to data's non-normal distribution. The analysis revealed significant variations in collective trauma and mental health outcomes across subgroups. Afghan women, minoritized ethnic groups, those who experienced extended displacement, and refugees with uncertain visa statuses reported higher collective trauma levels and worse mental health outcomes. Statistical significance was noted in the correlations between collective trauma and mental health symptoms (r = .53, p < .01) and between post-migration difficulties and mental health (r = .33, p < .01). The disparities in mental health outcomes based on sociodemographic characteristics were significant, with nonparametric tests showing clear distinctions across different groups (Kruskal-Wallis H = 14.76, p < .05 for trauma experience by visa status). This study emphasizes the critical need for mental health interventions that account for the complex experiences of collective trauma among Afghan refugees, especially among identified subgroups. Tailoring mental health services to address the specific needs highlighted through disaggregated data can enhance support for Afghan refugees in the United States. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between collective trauma and refugee mental health, advocating for nuanced care strategies in resettlement environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn Kirsch
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA.
| | - Arati Maleku
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Youn Kyoung Kim
- School of Social Work, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | | | - Hanna Haran
- College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Katherine Kitchens
- School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
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Mohammed Bilal M, Moawia Balla Elnour S, Mohamed Elmahdi ZZ, Mustafa Mudawi Ahmed E. Mental health consequences among Sudanese due to the armed conflicts and civil unrest of 2023: a cross-sectional study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2024; 70:563-573. [PMID: 38214246 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231221101] [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: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
AIM To investigate depression, anxiety, PTSD, and insomnia levels among Sudanese citizens during the 2023 Armed Forces conflict in Sudan. METHODS An online survey was distributed. It is composed of five parts, covering the following areas: (a) sociodemographic data; (b) depression assessment; (c) generalized anxiety disorder assessment; (d) post-traumatic stress disorder assessment; and (e) insomnia assessment.Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27 was used for data analysis; frequency and percentage were used to describe the qualitative variables. The Pearson correlation coefficient and Chi-square test were used for correlation and association analysis; a p-value equal to or less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS The study included 221 participants, whose ages were 35.02 ± 11.83 years. Among the participants, 57.5% were female. The length of stay in the war zone was 39.29 ± 31.71 days. The sound of gunfire, bombs, or explosions was the most frequent war violence personally experienced by participants or their family members, friends, or acquaintances, in 203 (91.8%) and 221 (100%), respectively. Moderate-severe and severe depression were present in 25.3% and 62.0%, respectively. Moderate and severe anxiety were present in 36.2% and 52.9%, respectively. 58.8% had PTSD. Sub-threshold insomnia was present in 57.5%. There was a negative correlation between sex (female) and depression (correlation coefficient = -.183, p-value = .006), which indicates that depression is more likely to be in females. For PTSD, there was a negative correlation between age and PTSD (correlation coefficient = -.150, p-value = 0.026), which indicates that younger age groups were more likely to experience PTSD. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between marital status (married) and PTSD (correlation coefficient = -.175, p-value = .009), which indicates that married participants were more likely to experience PTSD. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to war-related trauma can also lead to mental health issues. These findings emphasize the urgent need for proper mental health support and interventions in war-affected areas to address the prevalent mental disorders.
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Ziersch A, Walsh M, Due C. Housing and health for people from refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds: findings from an Australian qualitative longitudinal study. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1138. [PMID: 38654272 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18616-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds, housing and the re-establishment of home are key social determinants of health. Research highlights the inequities faced by asylum seekers and refugees in the housing markets of high-income resettlement countries, resulting in their overrepresentation in precarious housing. There is also emerging evidence of the relationship between housing and health for this population relating to lack of affordability, insecurity of tenure, and poor suitability (physical and social). The mechanisms by which housing impacts health for this group within these housing contexts, is however, understudied - especially overtime. This qualitative longitudinal study aimed to address this gap. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 people from asylum-seeking and refugee backgrounds in South Australia, recruited through a community survey. Thematic analysis of interview data across three time points over three years identified four material and psychosocial mechanisms through which housing contributed to health outcomes via psychological and physical stressors - physical environment; stability; safety; and social connections, support and services. The study also identified additional health promoting resources, particularly elements of ontological security. The dynamics of these indirect and direct mechanisms were further illuminated by considering the impact of international, national and local contexts and a range of intersecting social factors including gender, country/culture of origin, family circumstances, immigration status, language skills, income, and health status. CONCLUSIONS Rebuilding a sense of home and ontological security is a key resettlement priority and crucial for wellbeing. More comprehensive strategies to facilitate this for refugees and asylum seekers are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Ziersch
- Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Moira Walsh
- Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Clemence Due
- Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
- School of Psychology; University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Handiso DW, Paul E, Boyle JA, Shawyer F, Meadows G, Enticott JC. Trends and determinants of mental illness in humanitarian migrants resettled in Australia: Analysis of longitudinal data. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2024. [PMID: 38651241 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Given the frequent exposure of humanitarian migrants to traumatic or stressful circumstances, there exists a potential predisposition to mental illness. Our objective was to pinpoint the trends and determinants of mental illness among humanitarian migrants resettled in Australia. This study considered five waves of longitudinal data involving humanitarian migrants resettled in Australia. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological distress were assessed using PTSD-8 and Kessler-6 screening tools. Through a Generalised Linear Mixed model (GLMM), variables displaying a 95% CI that excluded the value of 1.0 for the odds ratio were identified as associated factors for both PTSD and elevated psychological distress. The selection of multivariable covariates was guided by causal loop diagrams and least absolute shrinkage and selection operators methods. At baseline, there were 2399 humanitarian migrants with 1881 retained and at the fifth yearly wave; the response rate was 78.4%. PTSD prevalence decreased from 33.3% (95% CI: 31.4-35.3) at baseline to 28.3% (95% CI: 26.2-30.5) at year 5. Elevated psychological distress persisted across all waves: 17.1% (95% CI: 15.5-18.6) at baseline and 17.1% (95% CI: 15.3-18.9) at year 5. Across the five waves, 34.0% of humanitarian migrants met screening criteria for mental illness, either PTSD or elevated psychological distress. In the multivariate model, factors associated with PTSD were loneliness (AOR 1.5, 95% CI: 1.3-1.8), discrimination (AOR 1.6: 1.2-2.1), temporary housing contract (AOR 3.7: 2.1-6.7), financial hardship (AOR 2.2:1.4-3.6) and chronic health conditions (AOR 1.3: 1.1-1.5), whereas the associated factors for elevated psychological distress were loneliness (AOR 1.8: 1.5-2.2), discrimination (AOR 1.7: 1.3-2.2) and short-term lease housing (AOR 1.6: 1.0-1.7). The prevalence, persistence and consequential burden of mental illness within this demographic underscore the urgent need for targeted social and healthcare policies. These policies should aim to mitigate modifiable risk factors, thereby alleviating the significant impact of mental health challenges on this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demelash Woldeyohannes Handiso
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eldho Paul
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jacqueline A Boyle
- Health Systems and Equity, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Frances Shawyer
- Southern Synergy, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham Meadows
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Southern Synergy, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Mental Health Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joanne C Enticott
- Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Southern Synergy, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Filippou K, Knappe F, Hatzigeorgiadis A, Morres ID, Tzormpatzakis E, Havas E, Pühse U, Theodorakis Y, Gerber M. Self-Reported Physical Activity and Mental Health Among Asylum Seekers in a Refugee Camp. J Phys Act Health 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38621670 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2023-0325] [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: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global forced displacement has been rising steeply since 2015 as a result of wars and human rights abuses. Forcibly displaced people are often exposed to physical and mental strain, which can cause traumatic experiences and poor mental health. Physical activity has been linked with better mental health, although such evidence is scarce among those populations. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships of self-reported physical activity and fitness with mental health indices among people residing in a refugee camp in Greece as asylum seekers. METHODS Participants were 151 individuals (76 women, 75 men; mean age 28.90 y) displaced from their homes for an average of 32.03 months. Among them, 67% were from Afghanistan and countries from southwest Asia, and 33% from sub-Saharan African countries. Participants completed self-report measures assessing physical activity, fitness, symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and well-being. RESULTS High prevalence of mental health disorder symptoms and poor well-being were identified, with women and Asians showing poorer mental health. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety were related to perceived fitness, but not to self-reported physical activity. Regression analysis showed that perceived fitness (β: 0.34; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.52) and low-intensity physical activity (β: 0.24; 95% CI, 0.001 to 0.009) significantly positively predicted well-being, showing small to medium effect. CONCLUSIONS The findings provide useful insights regarding the link between physical activity and well-being; nevertheless, further research examining objectively measured physical activity is warranted to complement these data and further explore the associations between physical activity and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinia Filippou
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Florian Knappe
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Ioannis D Morres
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | | | - Elsa Havas
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Yannis Theodorakis
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Raccanello D, Burro R, Aristovnik A, Ravšelj D, Umek L, Vicentini G, Hall R, Buizza C, Buzdar MA, Chatterjee S, Cucari N, Dobrowolska B, Ferreira-Oliveira AT, França T, Ghilardi A, Inasius F, Kar SK, Karampelas K, Kuzyshyn A, Lazăr F, Machin-Mastromatteo JD, Malliarou M, Marques BP, Méndez-Prado SM, Mollica C, Obadić A, Olaniyan OF, Rodrigues AS, Sbravati G, Vasić A, Zamfir AM, Tomaževič N. Coping and emotions of global higher education students to the Ukraine war worldwide. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8561. [PMID: 38609468 PMCID: PMC11014932 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59009-3] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Trauma scientists have raised the alarm about the devastating consequences of the Ukraine war on mental health. We examined how higher education students-as indirect victims-coped with this conflict and how they emotionally reacted during 2022. We involved 2314 students from 16 countries through an online survey. A structural equation model indicated significant relations between war-related worry about military and macroeconomics domains and two coping strategies (opposition, support giving), in turn significantly linked with six emotions. The model was strongly invariant across gender, study field, and geographic area. The most frequent emotions were anger and anxiety, followed by two future-centred emotions (hopelessness and hope). Emotions were more frequent for females and students of the countries geographically close to the war region. Our findings call for evidence-based policy recommendations to be implemented by institutions to combat the negative short and long-term psychological sequelae of being witnesses of armed conflicts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto Burro
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Dejan Ravšelj
- Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Lan Umek
- Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Giada Vicentini
- Department of Human Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Rob Hall
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Environmetrics, Killara, Australia
| | - Chiara Buizza
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Muhammad Ayub Buzdar
- Department of Secondary Teacher Education, Allama Iqbal Open University Islamabad, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Surobhi Chatterjee
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | - Nicola Cucari
- Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Beata Dobrowolska
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Thais França
- Centre for Research and Studies in Sociology, Cies-Iscte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Alberto Ghilardi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Fany Inasius
- School of Accounting, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Sujita Kumar Kar
- Department of Psychiatry, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India
| | | | - Andrii Kuzyshyn
- Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Florin Lazăr
- Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | | | - Maria Malliarou
- Department of Nursing, University of Thessaly, Vólos, Greece
| | - Bertil P Marques
- Institute of Engineering of Porto, P.PORTO-Polytechnic of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | - Cristina Mollica
- Department of Statistical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alka Obadić
- Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Olawale Festus Olaniyan
- School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of The Gambia, Serrekunda, Gambia
| | - Ana Sofia Rodrigues
- CISAS, Polytechnic Institute of Viana Do Castelo, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
| | - Giulio Sbravati
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Ana-Maria Zamfir
- National Scientific Research Institute for Labour and Social Protection, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nina Tomaževič
- Faculty of Public Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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9
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Chapadia B, Ghimire S, Karmacharya I, Subedi J, Adhikari SB. Role of Social Support on Mental Health Among Resettled Bhutanese Refugees in Ohio. J Immigr Minor Health 2024; 26:316-324. [PMID: 37863865 DOI: 10.1007/s10903-023-01549-3] [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: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of Bhutanese refugees have resettled in the United States. Social support can lead to better resilience against poor mental health outcomes among this population. This study assessed the role of social support on mental health among the resettled Bhutanese adults in Central Ohio. This study used data collected by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services on 200 Bhutanese adults in Columbus. Social support was measured using a 12-item perceived social support scale. The 25-item Hopkins Symptoms Checklist was used to quantify depression and anxiety experienced in the past month. One-in-three participants reported mental health problems. Compared to participants with high social support, those with medium (OR 5.28, 95% CI 2.09-13.37) and low social support (OR 10.94, 95% CI 2.53-47.33) had more than 5- and 10-fold increased odds of mental health problems respectively. Future studies could further explore the role of social support on mental health during relocation, resettlement, and acculturation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bunsi Chapadia
- Department of Microbiology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Saruna Ghimire
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, 375 Upham Hall, 100 Bishop Circle, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA.
- Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
| | - Isha Karmacharya
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, 375 Upham Hall, 100 Bishop Circle, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Janardan Subedi
- Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, 375 Upham Hall, 100 Bishop Circle, Oxford, OH, 45056, USA
- Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA
| | - Surendra Bir Adhikari
- Quality Planning and Research, Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, 30 E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH, 43215, USA
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Cadorin C, Purgato M, Turrini G, Prina E, Cabral Ferreira M, Cristofalo D, Bartucz MB, Witteveen AB, Sijbrandij M, Papola D, Barbui C. Mapping the evidence on psychosocial interventions for migrant populations: Descriptive analysis of a living database of randomized studies. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2024; 11:e35. [PMID: 38572262 PMCID: PMC10988138 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Migrant mental health is a pressing public health issue with wide-ranging implications. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been conducted in this population to assess the effects of psychosocial interventions. However, the available evidence is characterized by controversy and fragmentation, with studies focusing on different migrant populations, interventions, outcomes, delivery modalities and settings. Aiming to promote systematic reviews of the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions in different migrant groups, we have developed a living database of existing RCTs. The development of the database provides an opportunity to map the existing RCT evidence in this population. A total of 135 studies involving 24,859 participants were included in the living database. The distribution of studies by year of publication aligns with the increasing global migrant population in recent years. Most studies focus primarily on adult participants, with a limited representation of children and adolescents, and a prevalence of female participants, which is consistent with epidemiological data, except for older adults, who are underrepresented in research. Studies predominantly focus on refugees and asylum seekers, likely due to their elevated risk of mental health issues, despite the substantial presence of economic migrants worldwide. While studies mainly involve migrants from the Middle East and East Asia, epidemiological data suggest a broader geographic representation, with migrants coming from Eastern Europe, Latin America and South Asia. The present descriptive analysis of RCTs on mental health and psychosocial interventions for migrant populations provides valuable insights into the existing research landscape. It should be used to inform future research efforts, ensuring that studies are more representative of the global migrant population and more responsive to the mental health needs of migrants in different contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Cadorin
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marianna Purgato
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giulia Turrini
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Prina
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Madalena Cabral Ferreira
- Public Health Unit of the Primary Care Cluster of Famalicão, Northern Region Health Administration, Famalicão, Portugal
| | - Doriana Cristofalo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Monica B. Bartucz
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anke B. Witteveen
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marit Sijbrandij
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Institute and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Davide Papola
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Andualem F, Melkam M, Takelle GM, Nakie G, Tinsae T, Fentahun S, Rtbey G, Begashaw TD, Seid J, Tegegn LF, Gedef GM, Bitew DA, Godana TN. Prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder and associated factors among displaced people in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1336665. [PMID: 38516263 PMCID: PMC10956696 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1336665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The number of people who have been displaced from their homes due to violence, conflict, and natural disasters. The displaced persons are vulnerable to PTSD; however, being women, individuals with lower socio-economic status and intense exposure to physical assault are more vulnerable. The reviews stated that the pooled prevalence of PTSD among refugees in high-income countries was higher than the general population. However, there has been no review done on PTSD among displaced persons in Africa. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarise the most recent data evidence on the pooled prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder and the pooled effect of associated factors on adult displaced people in Africa. Methods We used an appropriate guideline for systematic reviews and meta-analyses reports, which is the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). This review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023411371). The publications were identified from PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus databases, and other grey searches of Google Scholar and World Health Organisation (WHO) reports. The data was extracted in Microsoft Excel, and then it will be imported into STATA 11.0 for analysis. Results We have included 10 studies conducted in African countries with 5287 study participants. In this meta-analysis, the pooled prevalence of PTSD among displaced people in Africa was 55.64 (95% CI: 42.76-68.41%). Further, in subgroup analysis regarding the study participants, the pooled prevalence of PTSD among internally displaced people and refugees was 56.35% and 54.04%, respectively. Among the associated factors, being female, unemployed, and depression were significantly related to PTSD among displaced people. Conclusions In this review, the pooled prevalence of PTSD among displaced people in Africa was high. Demographic characteristics (female, single, and unemployed), substance use disorder, and depression were risk factors for PTSD among displaced people. This finding might help the stakeholders (mental health policy makers, administrators, and mental health professionals) to address the prevention, early screening, and management of PTSD among displaced people and to give attention to more vulnerable bodies. Systematic review registration PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023411371.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fantahun Andualem
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Mamaru Melkam
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Girmaw Medfu Takelle
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Girum Nakie
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Techilo Tinsae
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Setegn Fentahun
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gidey Rtbey
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tesfaye Derbie Begashaw
- Department of Psychiatry College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Jemal Seid
- Department of Psychiatry College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Lidiya Fasil Tegegn
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, Arsi University, Asella, Ethiopia
| | - Getachew Muluye Gedef
- Department of General Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Desalegn Anmut Bitew
- Department of Reproductive Health, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Science, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Tilahun Nega Godana
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Science, Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Kapel Lev-Ari R, Aloni R, Ari AB. Children Fleeing War-Exploring the Mental Health of Refugee Children Arriving in Israel after the Ukraine 2022 Conflict. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 149:106608. [PMID: 38141479 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106608] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In February 2022, Ukraine suffered a devastating assault by Russia, leading to destruction, casualties, and mass displacement. Among those displaced were over 1.5 million children. Forced displacement exposes children to a heightened risk of mental health issues. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the prevalence of Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues among child refugees shortly after their displacement from Ukraine to Israel. It aimed to identify factors influencing PTSD development and explore their associations. METHODS The study included 59 child refugees who had arrived in Israel after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Parents completed self-report questionnaires to assess their children's mental health. RESULTS Only three children met the DSM diagnostic criteria for PTSD, with higher scores in the negative cognition and re-experiencing clusters. Over half of the children exhibited general mental health problems, with approximately 40 % showing internalizing problems, and 30 % showing externalizing problems. The study also found a significant comorbidity between PTSD symptoms and internalizing problems. Additionally, internalizing problems emerged as the sole significant predictor of PTSD levels when considering factors such as age, gender, economic status, parents' work status, internalizing problems, and externalizing problems. CONCLUSIONS Child refugees frequently experience psychological distress, even if they do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for PTSD. They often exhibit other distress symptoms, primarily internalizing problems, which can be challenging to detect. A deeper understanding of the challenges faced by refugee children can inform the development of targeted assistance programs and the recruitment and training of personnel in host countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roy Aloni
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ariel University, Israel
| | - Amichai Ben Ari
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, Ariel University, Israel; Herman Dana Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
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13
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Verhaak L, ter Heide JJ. Group Schema Therapy for Refugees with Treatment-Resistant PTSD and Personality Pathology. Case Rep Psychiatry 2024; 2024:8552659. [PMID: 38434423 PMCID: PMC10904674 DOI: 10.1155/2024/8552659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with complex forms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may benefit from schema therapy. While a small number of studies point to the effectiveness of individual schema therapy in refugees with PTSD, no evidence on group schema therapy (GST) in refugees exists. To illustrate and advocate for the use of GST in refugee patients with treatment-resistant PTSD and comorbid personality pathology, a case report is presented. Presentation. The case concerned the treatment of an East African female refugee who survived sexual and physical violence and loss as a child, as the hostage of a rebel army, and as a victim of human trafficking. She was diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, and borderline personality disorder. Trauma-focused therapy was hampered by insufficient treatment attendance due to current stress factors and early destructive coping strategies. One year of GST enabled the patient to overcome treatment-undermining patterns and benefit from subsequent trauma-focused therapy. Conclusion This case suggests that GST may have the potential to improve treatment adherence and the effectiveness of trauma-focused treatment in complex refugee patients. Clinical impressions need to be confirmed in a study that examines the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of GST in refugees with treatment-resistant PTSD and personality pathology.
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Wallin MI, DeMarinis V, Nevonen L, Bäärnhielm S. A qualitative analysis of the documentation of DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interviews with non-native speaking patients in a Swedish mental health care setting. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1298920. [PMID: 38455521 PMCID: PMC10918747 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1298920] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Cultural variety in expressed symptom presentations of mental health problems creates difficulties in transcultural diagnostic assessments. This emphasizes the need of culturally sensitive diagnostic tools like the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI). Although the CFI is being implemented worldwide there is a lack of studies analyzing what kind of information it provides when used with new patients in routine psychiatric assessments, and how CFI information contributes to diagnostic evaluations. This study aimed to find out what information the CFI questions revealed when used with non-native Swedish speaking patients. We also wanted to understand how the CFI may facilitate identification of psychiatric diagnoses among these patients. Materials and methods The CFI was used as part of a routine clinical psychiatric assessment in an outpatient clinic in Sweden. Interpreters were used in the consultations when needed. A qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyze the documented CFI answers from non-native speaking patients. Results We found that the CFI information contained contextualized descriptions of dysfunction and current life conditions, as well as expressions of emotions, often described along with somatic terms. Discussion Our results indicate that the narrative approach of the CFI, giving contextualized information about distress and functioning, can facilitate clinicians' identification of psychiatric symptoms when language, psychiatric terms and understandings are not shared between patient and clinician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malin Idar Wallin
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (KI) & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden
- Transcultural Centre, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valerie DeMarinis
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Västerbotten, Sweden
- Division Mental Health Care, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Hamar, Norway
| | - Lauri Nevonen
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Aleris Psychiatry Täby, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sofie Bäärnhielm
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet (KI) & Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden
- Transcultural Centre, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
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De Jesús-Romero R, Holder-Dixon AR, Buss JF, Lorenzo-Luaces L. Race, Ethnicity, and Other Cultural Background Factors in Trials of Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2024; 26:e50780. [PMID: 38300699 PMCID: PMC10870215 DOI: 10.2196/50780] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing interest in developing scalable interventions, including internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT), to meet the increasing demand for mental health services. Given the growth in diversity worldwide, it is essential that the clinical trials of iCBT for depression include diverse samples or, at least, report information on the race, ethnicity, or other background indicators of their samples. Unfortunately, the field lacks data on how well diversity is currently reported and represented in the iCBT literature. OBJECTIVE Thus, the main objective of this systematic review was to examine the overall reporting of racial and ethnic identities in published clinical trials of iCBT for depression. We also aimed to review the representation of specific racial and ethnic minoritized groups and the inclusion of alternative background indicators such as migration status or country of residence. METHODS Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials in which iCBT was compared to a waiting list, care-as-usual, active control, or another iCBT. The included papers also had to have a focus on acute treatment (eg, 4 weeks to 6 months) of depression, be delivered via the internet on a website or a smartphone app and use guided or unguided self-help. Studies were initially identified from the METAPSY database (n=59) and then extended to include papers up to 2022, with papers retrieved from Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane (n=3). Risk of bias assessment suggested that reported studies had at least some risk of bias due to use of self-report outcome measures. RESULTS A total of 62 iCBT randomized controlled trials representing 17,210 participants are summarized in this study. Out of those 62 papers, only 17 (27%) of the trials reported race, and only 12 (19%) reported ethnicity. Reporting outside of the United States was very poor, with the United States accounting for 15 (88%) out of 17 of studies that reported race and 9 (75%) out of 12 for ethnicity. Out of 3,623 participants whose race was reported in the systematic review, the racial category reported the most was White (n=2716, 74.9%), followed by Asian (n=209, 5.8%) and Black (n=274, 7.6%). Furthermore, only 25 (54%) out of the 46 papers conducted outside of the United States reported other background demographics. CONCLUSIONS It is important to note that the underreporting observed in this study does not necessarily indicate an underrepresentation in the actual study population. However, these findings highlight the poor reporting of race and ethnicity in iCBT trials for depression found in the literature. This lack of diversity reporting may have significant implications for the scalability of these interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robinson De Jesús-Romero
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Amani R Holder-Dixon
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - John F Buss
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Lorenzo Lorenzo-Luaces
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University - Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, United States
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Kirkbride JB, Anglin DM, Colman I, Dykxhoorn J, Jones PB, Patalay P, Pitman A, Soneson E, Steare T, Wright T, Griffiths SL. The social determinants of mental health and disorder: evidence, prevention and recommendations. World Psychiatry 2024; 23:58-90. [PMID: 38214615 PMCID: PMC10786006 DOI: 10.1002/wps.21160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
People exposed to more unfavourable social circumstances are more vulnerable to poor mental health over their life course, in ways that are often determined by structural factors which generate and perpetuate intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and poor health. Addressing these challenges is an imperative matter of social justice. In this paper we provide a roadmap to address the social determinants that cause mental ill health. Relying as far as possible on high-quality evidence, we first map out the literature that supports a causal link between social determinants and later mental health outcomes. Given the breadth of this topic, we focus on the most pervasive social determinants across the life course, and those that are common across major mental disorders. We draw primarily on the available evidence from the Global North, acknowledging that other global contexts will face both similar and unique sets of social determinants that will require equitable attention. Much of our evidence focuses on mental health in groups who are marginalized, and thus often exposed to a multitude of intersecting social risk factors. These groups include refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons, as well as ethnoracial minoritized groups; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) groups; and those living in poverty. We then introduce a preventive framework for conceptualizing the link between social determinants and mental health and disorder, which can guide much needed primary prevention strategies capable of reducing inequalities and improving population mental health. Following this, we provide a review of the evidence concerning candidate preventive strategies to intervene on social determinants of mental health. These interventions fall broadly within the scope of universal, selected and indicated primary prevention strategies, but we also briefly review important secondary and tertiary strategies to promote recovery in those with existing mental disorders. Finally, we provide seven key recommendations, framed around social justice, which constitute a roadmap for action in research, policy and public health. Adoption of these recommendations would provide an opportunity to advance efforts to intervene on modifiable social determinants that affect population mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Deidre M Anglin
- City College, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ian Colman
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Peter B Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridgeshire & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Praveetha Patalay
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK
- Centre for Longitudinal Studies, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Pitman
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
- Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Emma Soneson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas Steare
- Medical Research Council Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing, University College London, London, UK
| | - Talen Wright
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK
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Coumans JVF, Wark S. A scoping review on the barriers to and facilitators of health services utilisation related to refugee settlement in regional or rural areas of the host country. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:199. [PMID: 38229057 PMCID: PMC10792843 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17694-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare access and equity are human rights. Worldwide conflicts, violence, and persecution have increased the number of people from refugee or refugee-like backgrounds. Because urban areas are already densely populated, governments have aimed to increase refugee resettlement in rural and/or regional areas. Because of the complex healthcare needs of refugees, this creates challenges for healthcare service providers. Identifying barriers to accessing healthcare in rural areas is therefore important to better inform policy settings and programmes that will provide culturally appropriate patient-centred care to the refugee community. METHODS This review scoped 22 papers written in English between 2018 and July 2023 from five countries (Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Bangladesh, and Lebanon) in order to provide an overview of the barriers and possible solutions to facilitate refugees' access to healthcare. RESULTS The reviewed literature summarised the perceptions of at least 3,561 different refugees and 259 rural health service providers and/or administrators and identified major challenges. These include communication (illiteracy in the resettlement country language and lack of a suitable interpreter), lack of cultural awareness of health services, discrimination, and access difficulties (transportation, availability of health specialist services, cost). As a consequence, it was identified that improving access to affordable housing, employment through credential recognition, competence-level education for children, facilitating language training, and adapting health information would increase resettlement and encourage access to healthcare. CONCLUSIONS Refugees face significant barriers to accessing and engaging with healthcare services. This impacts their integration into rural communities and increases the prevalence of psychosocial issues like feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, a lack of autonomy, and a lack of empowerment over informed decision-making, especially for women, jobless men, and the elderly. These findings support the need for additional support for refugees and healthcare providers to improve language proficiency and cultural competency. Policymakers need to improve the availability and accessibility of employment, housing accessibility, and service mobility. Additionally, more research is needed to assess the efficacy of emerging innovative programmes that aim to close the gap by delivering culturally appropriate patient-centred care to refugee communities in rural areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- J V F Coumans
- School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia.
| | - S Wark
- School of Rural Medicine, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, 2351, Australia
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Bachem R, Levin Y, Yuval K, Langer NK, Solomon Z, Bernstein A. Complex posttraumatic stress disorder in intergenerational trauma transmission among Eritrean asylum-seeking mother-child dyads. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2024; 15:2300588. [PMID: 38190253 PMCID: PMC10776052 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2300588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Traumatic stress among forcibly displaced people has a variety of adverse consequences beyond individual mental health, including implications for poor socioemotional developmental outcomes for their children post-displacement.Objective: This study explored the intergenerational transmission of maternal ICD-11 Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) and depression among asylum-seeking mothers for their children's internalizing and externalizing difficulties.Method: Participants were 127 trauma-affected Eritrean mothers of preschool-aged children in Israel. The severity of child difficulties was compared between mothers with probable ICD-11 CPTSD (94.5% comorbid depression), ICD-11 PTSD (48.5% comorbid depression), unimorbid depression, and healthy mothers, using multivariate analyses of variance, while controlling for children's direct exposure to adverse life experiences.Results: Probable ICD-11 CPTSD and PTSD were present in 23.6% and 26.0% of mothers, respectively. Relative to maternal PTSD, CPTSD was significantly and strongly associated with elevated child internalizing symptoms (d = 2.44) and marginally significantly, although strongly, associated with child externalizing symptoms (d = 1.30). Post-hoc exploratory analyses documented that, relative to maternal PTSD and depression, CPTSD and depression comorbidity was marginally significantly but strongly associated with child internalizing (SMD = .67), but not externalizing symptoms (SMD = .35).Conclusions: Findings implicate maternal CPTSD and comorbid depression in child socio-emotional development and inform clinical assessment, prevention, and intervention to attenuate poor development among children in unstable post-displacement settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahel Bachem
- Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Yafit Levin
- School of Social Work, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
| | - Kim Yuval
- Observing Minds Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Nora Korin Langer
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Zahava Solomon
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- the I-Core Research Center for Mass Trauma, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Amit Bernstein
- Observing Minds Lab, Department of Psychology, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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DiClemente-Bosco K, Binyungu A, Shabani C, Pellowski JA, Operario D, Nugent N, Harrison A. 'I am because you are': Community support as a bridge to mental wellbeing for resettled African refugee women living in Rhode Island. Glob Public Health 2024; 19:2314106. [PMID: 38334139 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2024.2314106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
African refugee women resettled in the United States are exposed to multiple risk factors for poor mental health. Currently, no comprehensive framework exists on which to guide mental health interventions specific to this population. Through a community-based participatory research partnership, we interviewed N = 15 resettled African refugees living in Rhode Island. Here we (1) describe how meanings of mental health within the African refugee community vary from US understandings of PTSD, depression, and anxiety and (2) generate a framework revealing how mental health among participants results from interactions between social support, African sociocultural norms, and US norms and systems. Multiple barriers and facilitators of mental wellbeing lie at the intersections of these three primary concepts. We recommend that public health and medicine leverage the strength of existing community networks and organisations to address the heavy burden of poor mental health among resettled African refugee women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira DiClemente-Bosco
- Center for Dissemination and Implementation Science, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | | | | | - Jennifer A Pellowski
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Don Operario
- Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Nicole Nugent
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Abigail Harrison
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
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20
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Self-efficacy and locus of control as transdiagnostic factors in Middle Eastern refugees. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2180707. [PMID: 37052105 PMCID: PMC9987726 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2180707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Many refugees report high levels of psychopathology. As a countermeasure, some psychological interventions aim at targeting mental health difficulties in refugees transdiagnostically. However, there is a lack of knowledge about relevant transdiagnostic factors in refugee populations.Objective: To inform intervention efforts empirically, we investigated whether self-efficacy and locus of control are transdiagnostically associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatisation, psychological distress, and a higher-order psychopathology factor ('p') in Middle Eastern refugees residing in Germany.Method: In total, 200 Middle Eastern refugees took part in this cross-sectional study, comprising 160 male and 40 female refugees. Participants were, on average, 25.56 years old (SD = 9.19), and 182 (91%) originally came from Syria, while remaining refugees were from Iraq or Afghanistan. They completed measures of depression, anxiety, somatisation, self-efficacy, and locus of control.Results: In multiple regression models adjusting for demographic factors (gender and age), self-efficacy and external locus of control were transdiagnostically related to depression, anxiety, somatic symptoms, psychological distress, and a higher-order psychopathology factor. Internal locus of control had no detectable effect in these models.Conclusions: Self-efficacy and external locus of control appear critical in the mental health of refugees and may be important mechanisms in overcoming posttraumatic stress and resettlement stressors. Our findings support the need to target self-efficacy and external locus of control as transdiagnostic factors of general psychopathology in Middle Eastern refugees.
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Cross-cultural validity and psychometric properties of the International Trauma Questionnaire in a clinical refugee sample. Eur J Psychotraumatol 2023; 14:2172256. [PMID: 37052113 PMCID: PMC9930811 DOI: 10.1080/20008066.2023.2172256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The ICD-11 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD diagnoses have been examined in several studies using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ). The cross-cultural validity of the ITQ has not previously been studied using item responses theory methods focused on the issue of equal item functioning and thus comparability of scores across language groups.Objective: To investigate the cross-cultural validity of the ITQ scales considering specifically local independence of items and differential item functioning (DIF) in a cross-cultural sample of refugees.Method: Data from 490 treatment-seeking refugees were included, covering Danish, Arabic, and Bosnian languages and different levels of interpreter-assisted administration. Rasch and graphical log-linear Rasch models were used.Results: There was strong local dependence among items from the same symptom clusters in the PTSD and disorders in self-organization (DSO) scales, except between affective dysregulation items. Weak local dependence was discovered between an item from the affective dysregulation cluster and an item from the disturbed relationship cluster. There was no evidence of DIF related to language or interpreter assistance. There was evidence of DIF for two PTSD items relative to gender and time since the traumatic event. The targeting of the scales to the study population was not optimal. Reliability varied from 0.55 to 0.78 for subgroups.Conclusions: The PTSD and the DSO scales have stable psychometric properties across the Danish, Arabic, and Bosnian language versions and different levels of assisted administration. Scores are comparable across these groups. However, DIF relative to gender and time since trauma introduces considerable measurement bias. DIF-adjusted summed scale scores or estimated person parameters should be used to avoid measurement bias. Future research should investigate whether scales including more and/or alternative items that require higher levels of PTSD and DSO to be endorsed will improve targeting and measurement precision for refugee populations.
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Mastrogiovanni N, Byrow Y, Nickerson A. The Development and Validation of a Measure of Mental Health, Help-Seeking Beliefs in Arabic-Speaking Refugees. Assessment 2023:10731911231220482. [PMID: 38159035 DOI: 10.1177/10731911231220482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Despite reporting elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), refugees are less likely than other groups to seek psychological treatment. Relatively little attention has been paid to the role of negative help-seeking beliefs in influencing treatment uptake. The current study sought to develop and psychometrically validate a novel measure indexing negative help-seeking beliefs for refugees (Help-Seeking Beliefs Scale [HSBS]). In this study, 262 Arabic-speaking refugee participants completed an online survey consisting of the HSBS along with measures indexing similar constructs (self-stigma of PTSD and help-seeking, perceived stigma, negative help-seeking attitudes, and help-seeking intentions). Factor analysis revealed a three-factor structure aligning with key themes identified in the literature: (a) Fear of Negative Consequences, (b) Inappropriateness, and (c) Perceived Necessity. The scale demonstrated excellent internal consistency, convergent validity, and predicted reduced help-seeking intentions. Results support the utility of a novel measure capturing a prominent help-seeking barrier in a population with high psychopathology and low treatment uptake.
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Stein J, Vöhringer M, Wagner B, Stammel N, Böttche M, Knaevelsrud C. Patterns of posttraumatic stress symptoms, their predictors, and comorbid mental health symptoms in traumatized Arabic-speaking people: A latent class analysis. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295999. [PMID: 38134211 PMCID: PMC10745222 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Many people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have experienced traumatic events due to human rights abuses, violence, and conflict in the region, with potential psychological consequences including symptoms of posttraumatic stress and comorbid mental health problems. Yet, little is known about how different posttraumatic stress symptoms unfold in Arabic-speaking people who have experienced diverse traumatic events. This study examined latent classes based on posttraumatic stress symptoms, differences across classes concerning comorbid mental health symptoms and quality of life, and several predictors, including sociodemographic characteristics, social support, and trauma-related characteristics. Participants were 5,140 traumatized Arabic-speaking individuals who had registered for an online intervention. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify distinct classes based on DSM-5 posttraumatic stress symptoms. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze predictors of class membership. Differences between classes in severity of posttraumatic stress, depressive, anxiety, and somatoform symptoms, as well as quality of life were examined. Five different latent classes were identified: a general high posttraumatic stress symptom class (43.8%), a high posttraumatic stress symptom-low avoidance class (12.8%), a mixed posttraumatic stress symptom class (20.9%), a high dysphoric-low reexperiencing/avoidance class (14%), and a general low posttraumatic stress symptom class (8.4%). The classes differed in severity of posttraumatic stress, depressive, anxiety and somatoform symptoms, and quality of life. Consistent significant predictors of class membership were gender, social support, cumulative trauma exposure, sexual violence and direct exposure during the most distressing trauma, as well as time since the most distressing trauma. Distinct symptom classes with quantitative and qualitative differences can emerge following exposure to trauma among help-seeking Arabic-speaking people from the MENA region, with gender, social support, and trauma-related characteristics predicting symptom presentation. The results have implications for identifying distressed people and enhancing interventions based on an individual's symptom presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Stein
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Max Vöhringer
- Department for Transcultural and Traumatic Stress Studies, Center ÜBERLEBEN, Berlin, Germany
| | - Birgit Wagner
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Medical School Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nadine Stammel
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maria Böttche
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christine Knaevelsrud
- Clinical Psychological Intervention, Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Solfrank M, Nikendei C, Zehetmair C, Friederich HC, Nagy E. The burden of substance use and (mental) distress among asylum seekers: a cross sectional study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1258140. [PMID: 38173702 PMCID: PMC10761509 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1258140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Asylum seekers are a particularly vulnerable population due to a wide range of external stressors. Traumatic events and difficult social/economic prospects can lead to an elevated susceptibility for substance use disorders. The aim of the present study was to determine whether asylum seekers suffering from mental or physical distress present higher levels of substance use disorder (SUD) in a state reception center in Germany and whether there are identifiable risk or protective factors. Methods We performed a hierarchical logistic regression on data of N = 238 people who had applied for asylum in Germany to analyze the SUD variance explanation by (1) sociodemographic, (2) flight-specific, and (3) psychometric (ERQ, SOC-9 L, SCL-K9) variables. On level (4), we included the location of data collection (walk-in clinic or accommodation,) as an indicator of individual's need for a psychologist's or General practitioner's help in order to assess for the participant's (mental) distress. Results Low educational level, lower sense of coherence, and mental distress (location of data collection in the psychosocial or general medical outpatient clinic) were associated with SUD. Those suffering from SUD seemed to be less aware of external stressors as SUD was also associated with low levels of reported post-migratory stress. Discussion The association of SUD with psychological distress and lower education reaffirms the concept that some vulnerable groups are at a higher risk for substance-related difficulties. Strengthening the sense of coherence with targeted interventions might enable at-risk groups to cope better with forthcoming burdens and help with abstaining from current or future consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Solfrank
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Ede Nagy
- Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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Fel S, Jurek K, Lenart-Kłoś K. The relationship between socio-demographic factors and depression: a cross sectional study among civilian participants in hostilities in Ukraine. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21897. [PMID: 38082045 PMCID: PMC10713780 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49289-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
There is still a gap in scientific knowledge in relation to civilian participants in hostilities. This is despite the fact that there is an extensive body of literature on major depressive disorder (MDD) in individuals who have experienced armed conflict. The purpose of this article is to identify socio-demographic factors which are related to levels of depression among civilian participants in the war in Ukraine, based on a cross-sectional study that was conducted in 2019 from a convenience sample of 314 Ukrainian adults (235 males). Depression was assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to identify possible predictors of depression. Significant predictors were: loss of a loved one, place of residence, age, health insurance, financial situation, and marital status (F (6, 224) = 10.515, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.21; Adjusted R2 = 0.19). They also show that symptoms of depression resulting from the loss of a loved one due to war can be reduced through participation in an educational system. Having children is associated with a risk of more severe depression. Specialists are encouraged to engage in face-to-face interviews and to maintain a supportive and safe environment for participants in hostilities, e.g., in the area of education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanisław Fel
- The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jurek
- The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
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Rzepka I, Gebhardt N, Kindermann D, Stengel A, Zipfel S, Friederich HC, Nikendei C. [Screening for mental distress symptoms among Ukrainian refugees in an initial reception center in Baden-Württemberg]. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EVIDENZ, FORTBILDUNG UND QUALITAT IM GESUNDHEITSWESEN 2023; 182-183:32-37. [PMID: 37839966 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Millions of people are fleeing the war in Ukraine. Stressors associated with flight can have a massive impact on mental health. The aim of the present study was to perform a low-threshold screening for mental distress symptoms among Ukrainian refugees in an initial reception center in Baden-Württemberg. METHODS At the initial reception center in Heidelberg Ukrainian refugees were interviewed about psychological distress during consultations with medical care providers, using four screening questionnaires (PC-PTSD-5, PHQ-9, GAD-7, stress thermometer) in Ukrainian or Russian language, and further sociodemographic data and data about the refugees' background were collected. RESULTS More than 90% of the N = 36 respondents reported that they had experienced war, 55.6% reached the cut-off score for post-traumatic stress disorder. One fourth of the participants reached cut-off scores for depression and more than 30% for generalized anxiety disorder. The majority of respondents had relatives living in embattled cities, and in over 36% close relatives were currently deployed in war. In the group comparison there was no significant correlation of symptom burden with the family background situation. DISCUSSION In line with the existing literature, many of the participants showed signs of mental distress. Potentially affected persons can be identified using low-threshold screening questionnaires. Adequate care for mentally stressed refugees according to their needs should be established to facilitate integration. CONCLUSION Due to the known high prevalence of mental distress, refugees should be screened for mental distress symptoms at a low-threshold level to identify affected individuals. The psychosocial situation of Ukrainian refugees should be considered at an early stage in medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irja Rzepka
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Deutschland.
| | - Nadja Gebhardt
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - David Kindermann
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Andreas Stengel
- Innere Medizin VI Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Deutschland
| | - Stephan Zipfel
- Innere Medizin VI Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Deutschland
| | - Hans-Christoph Friederich
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Deutschland
| | - Christoph Nikendei
- Abteilung für Allgemeine Innere Medizin und Psychosomatik, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Deutschland
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Von Arcosy C, Padilha M, Mello GL, Vilete L, Luz MP, Mendlowicz M, Serpa OD, Berger W. A bright side of adversity? A systematic review on posttraumatic growth among refugees. Stress Health 2023; 39:956-976. [PMID: 36949033 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Until the third trimester of 2022, 103 million people worldwide had been forced to leave their homes and become refugees. The traumatic experiences of refugees can lead not only to mental disorders but also to Posttraumatic Growth (PTG). (1) To find the variables positively and negatively associated with PTG in refugees. (2) To investigate the relationship between PTG and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among refugees. We systematically searched Medline, Web of Knowledge, PsycInfo, Scopus, and PTSD Pubs for studies about PTG in refugees. Epidemiological studies using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. Grey literature, reviews, and meta-analysis. Risk of bias was assessed by the 'The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Tool'. We included 24 studies investigating PTG and associated factors. The factors positively associated with PTG were social support, regular migration status, religiosity, satisfaction with life, time, and problem-focussed and emotion-focussed coping. The factors negatively associated with PTG were: irregular migration status, emotional suppression, and avoidance coping. Studies on PTG in refugees are essential to finding new ways to address mental health in this field. Few studies offered risk of bias, particularly regarding the sample selection. We conclude that PTG may be influenced by many factors and it would be of importance that the centres for support, as well as public policies, took that into account to foster the outcome and not only to focus on disease. This study was partially supported by CAPES and registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020215607).
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheyenne Von Arcosy
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Padilha
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Lorran Mello
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Liliane Vilete
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mariana Pires Luz
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauro Mendlowicz
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Octavio Domont Serpa
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - William Berger
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Braule Pinto ALDC, Serpa ALDO, Guatimosim RF, Costa DS, de Paula JJ, da Silva AG, Diaz AP, de Miranda DM, Malloy-Diniz LF. Longitudinal profile of post-traumatic symptoms in HealthCare Workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A latent transition model. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 168:230-239. [PMID: 37922597 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.10.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pandemics have the potential to be considered traumatic event, increasing the risk of developing post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in HealthCare Workers (HCW). However, few longitudinal studies have evaluated the impact of prolonged exposure to the risk imposed by COVID-19. Our aim was to identify subgroups of HCW with profiles of PTSS, how this profile changed during the pandemic and which variables were related to these changes. METHODS We evaluated the levels of PTSS and psychological distress in a Brazilian HealthCare Workers' sample (n = 1398) in three waves of assessment: from May to June 2020 (Wave 1), December 2020 to February 2021 (Wave 2) and May to August 2021 (Wave 3), using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify subgroups with different profiles of symptms, and then, Latent Transition Analysis (LTA) was applied to examine changes in symptom profiles over time, including gender, psychiatric diagnosis history, and pandemic-related fears as covariates. RESULTS two profiles were identified: high-PTSS profile (Wave 1-23%; Wave 2-64% and Wave 3-73%) and a low-PTSS (Wave 1-77%; Wave 2-36% and Wave 3-27%). Being female, fear of contamination, and fearing financial problems were strong predictors of changes in the profile. In addition, the participants had a high probability of being in the high-PTSS in the long run. CONCLUSION These results suggests that targeted interventions can mitigate the impact of pandemic. Providing financial support, and psychological support can be beneficial for those with psychiatric diagnoses and experiencing bereavement.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Luiz de Carvalho Braule Pinto
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Post Graduation Department in Molecular Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Departamento de Ensino e Pesquisa (DENPE), Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil; Clinical Neuroscience Lab (LINC), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Alexandre Luiz de Oliveira Serpa
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; SCNLab, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde e do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Distúrbios do Desenvolvimento, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Rafaela Ferreira Guatimosim
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Clinical Neuroscience Lab (LINC), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Danielle Souza Costa
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Clinical Neuroscience Lab (LINC), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Jonas Jardim de Paula
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Antônio Geraldo da Silva
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria (ABP), Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
| | - Alexandre Paim Diaz
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria (ABP), Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Center for the Study and Prevention of Suicide, Department of Psychiatry, University of Rochester, New York, USA.
| | - Débora Marques de Miranda
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Post Graduation Department in Molecular Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Leandro Fernandes Malloy-Diniz
- SAMBE-Instituto de Saúde Mental Baseada em Evidências, Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil; Post Graduation Department in Molecular Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Clinical Neuroscience Lab (LINC), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Mental Health, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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Bridi L, Albahsahli B, Bencheikh N, Baker DA, Godino JG, O'Laughlin KN, Al-Rousan T. Barriers and facilitators to self-measured blood pressure monitoring among US-resettled Arab refugees with hypertension: a qualitative study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2023; 24:256. [PMID: 38036967 PMCID: PMC10687832 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-023-02215-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Minoritized communities including refugees are at an increased risk of poorly controlled hypertension. Evidence indicates that self-measured blood pressure monitoring (SMBP) is an effective method to improve blood pressure control in patients with hypertension. However, it has not been studied among refugee populations. The objective of this study is to examine barriers and facilitators to SMBP among Arab refugees resettled in the United States (US) with diagnosed hypertension. METHODS A total of 109 participants were recruited through a Federally Qualified Health Center system that is a major provider of healthcare to refugees in San Diego, California. Participants completed a questionnaire and were interviewed using in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed and translated, and data were coded using inductive thematic analysis and organized based on the theory of care-seeking behavior. RESULTS Several barriers to engaging in effective SMBP monitoring were identified. Clinical and sociodemographic barriers included reliance on public monitors and poor hypertension literacy. Psychosocial barriers of affect, norms, and habits included fear and anxiety from hypertension, cultural stigma of illness, and conditional SMBP with symptoms, respectively. Utility psychosocial barriers included lack of SMBP prioritization in treatment and perceived inaccuracy of home monitors. Family members' support with home monitoring served as an important facilitator to SMBP. CONCLUSIONS There are several barriers to effective SMBP among the US-resettled Arab refugee population that may reflect unique cultural and care-seeking behaviors. Tailored public health and clinical interventions are needed to support refugee patients and providers to improve hypertension self-management behaviors for this unique population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana Bridi
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Behnan Albahsahli
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Nissma Bencheikh
- School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Dania Abu Baker
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Job G Godino
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Laura Rodriguez Research Institute, Family Health Centers of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kelli N O'Laughlin
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tala Al-Rousan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
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Maheen H, King T. Employment-related mental health outcomes among Australian migrants: A 19-year longitudinal study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2023; 57:1475-1485. [PMID: 37211808 PMCID: PMC10619185 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231174809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrants experience various stressors at different stages of migration based on their country of origin, ethnic backgrounds, migration context and host country. Employment is one important post-settlement factor associated with mental health among migrant groups. The study investigates whether the country of origin modifies the association between employment and mental health for Australian migrants. METHODS Nineteen waves of data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey were used. Using fixed-effects regression, we examined the effects of within-person changes in employment status on mental health outcomes as measured by the Mental Health Inventory (MHI-5), controlling for time-varying confounders and stratified by sex and examined effect modification by country of origin. RESULTS The relationship between unemployment and mental health was modified by country of origin for men but not women. Unemployed men from Asian (β = -4.85, p < 0.001), African and Middle Eastern (β = -3.61, p < 0.05) countries had lower mental health scores compared to employed Australian-born men. For men, there was evidence of effect modification of the association between employment and mental health by country of origin, with the combined effect of being unemployed and being a migrant from an Asian country was almost three points lower than the summed independent risks of these factors (β = -2.72; p = 0.01). Also, for men, the combined mental health effect of not being in the labour force and coming from a non-English-speaking European country was greater than the summed effects of these factors (β = -2.33; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Tailored employment-support programmes may be beneficial for migrants from ethnic minorities, particularly those from Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries in Australia. Further research is needed to understand why the mental health of migrant men from these countries is particularly vulnerable to unemployment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Humaira Maheen
- Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Tania King
- Centre for Health Equity, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
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Śliwerski A, Kossakowska K. The mental functioning of school-age children in Poland since the outbreak of war in Ukraine and during the subsequent refugee crisis. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2023:106500. [PMID: 37833119 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2023.106500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is growing body of research focusing on the functioning of children who have fled from war-torn areas. However, there is currently lack of data regarding the functioning of children residing in host countries. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to examine the presence of emotional problems, negative attitudes, interpersonal problems, and functional difficulties among Polish children during the first month after the outbreak of war and initial phase of the current refugee crisis. PARTICIPANTS AND METHOD The study group comprised children aged 9-15 (N = 360), living in Poland. The Children's Depression Inventory 2 (CDI-2) and The Cognitive Triad Inventory for Children (CTIC) was used to measure emotional functioning. The study took place 7 to 39 days after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. RESULTS The children reported more emotional problems (t(359) = 9.340; p < .001; d = 0.49) with a negative mood (t(359) = 6.692; p < .001; d = 0.35) and negative self-esteem (t(359) = 9.632; p < .001; d = 0.51). The severity of depression symptoms was the highest in the first week after the outbreak of the war (F(5,354) = 2.472; p < .05; η2 = 0.03). The view of the self (F(1,358) = 3.858; p = .05; R2 = 0.01) and of the world (F(1,358) = 5.359; p < .05; R2 = 0.02) improved over time; however, their vision of the future remained unchanged. CONCLUSION The results shows that children who are not directly affected by the war can also display difficulties in mental functioning. In the initial months following the outbreak of the war and during the early stage of the current refugee crisis, Polish children demonstrated significantly higher levels of emotional problems and negative self-esteem. Moreover, the perception of oneself and the world appeared to be influenced by the duration since the onset of the war.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Śliwerski
- Institute of Psychology, University of Łódź, al. Rodziny Scheiblerów 2, 90-128 Łódź, Poland.
| | - Karolina Kossakowska
- Institute of Psychology, University of Łódź, al. Rodziny Scheiblerów 2, 90-128 Łódź, Poland
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Perlis RH, Lunz Trujillo K, Safarpour A, Quintana A, Simonson MD, Perlis J, Santillana M, Ognyanova K, Baum MA, Druckman JN, Lazer D. Community Mobility and Depressive Symptoms During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2334945. [PMID: 37755830 PMCID: PMC10534266 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.34945] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Marked elevation in levels of depressive symptoms compared with historical norms have been described during the COVID-19 pandemic, and understanding the extent to which these are associated with diminished in-person social interaction could inform public health planning for future pandemics or other disasters. Objective To describe the association between living in a US county with diminished mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic and self-reported depressive symptoms, while accounting for potential local and state-level confounding factors. Design, Setting, and Participants This survey study used 18 waves of a nonprobability internet survey conducted in the United States between May 2020 and April 2022. Participants included respondents who were 18 years and older and lived in 1 of the 50 US states or Washington DC. Main Outcome and Measure Depressive symptoms measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9); county-level community mobility estimates from mobile apps; COVID-19 policies at the US state level from the Oxford stringency index. Results The 192 271 survey respondents had a mean (SD) of age 43.1 (16.5) years, and 768 (0.4%) were American Indian or Alaska Native individuals, 11 448 (6.0%) were Asian individuals, 20 277 (10.5%) were Black individuals, 15 036 (7.8%) were Hispanic individuals, 1975 (1.0%) were Pacific Islander individuals, 138 702 (72.1%) were White individuals, and 4065 (2.1%) were individuals of another race. Additionally, 126 381 respondents (65.7%) identified as female and 65 890 (34.3%) as male. Mean (SD) depression severity by PHQ-9 was 7.2 (6.8). In a mixed-effects linear regression model, the mean county-level proportion of individuals not leaving home was associated with a greater level of depression symptoms (β, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.57-3.58) after adjustment for individual sociodemographic features. Results were similar after the inclusion in regression models of local COVID-19 activity, weather, and county-level economic features, and persisted after widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccination. They were attenuated by the inclusion of state-level pandemic restrictions. Two restrictions, mandatory mask-wearing in public (β, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.15-0.30) and policies cancelling public events (β, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.22-0.51), demonstrated modest independent associations with depressive symptom severity. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, depressive symptoms were greater in locales and times with diminished community mobility. Strategies to understand the potential public health consequences of pandemic responses are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy H. Perlis
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kristin Lunz Trujillo
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Alauna Safarpour
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Alexi Quintana
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David Lazer
- Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
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Thøgersen MH, Bager L, Bangsgaard SG, Palic S, Auning-Hansen M, Møller SB, Larsen KB, Tækker L, Jensen BS, Bothe S, Nordin L. The Danish Trauma Database for Refugees (DTD): A Multicenter Database Collaboration-Overcoming the Challenges and Enhancing Mental Health Treatment and Research for Refugees. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6611. [PMID: 37623194 PMCID: PMC10454926 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20166611] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Mental health of trauma-affected refugees is an understudied area, resulting in inadequate and poorer treatment outcomes. To address this, more high-quality treatment studies that include predictive analyses, long-term evaluations, cultural adaptations, and take account for comorbidities, are needed. Moreover, given the complex intertwining of refugees' health with post-migration stressors and other social factors, it is crucial to examine the social determinants of refugee mental health. The Danish Trauma Database for Refugees (DTD) is a multicenter research database uniting six national centers that provide outpatient treatment for trauma-affected refugees. Through the database, we collect clinical and sociodemographic data from approximately 1200 refugees annually and will merge the database with Danish population register data. The purpose of the DTD is two-fold; clinical and research. The DTD offers data-driven guidance for routine clinical treatment planning of the individual patient, as well as exceptional research opportunities for testing treatment interventions in clinical settings, with larger sample sizes, and more representative heterogeneity of the population. Complex analyses of risk and protective factors, barriers, access to treatment, and societal and transgenerational aspects of trauma are possible with the DTD. This conceptual paper introduces the DTD, the historical background, the development process and implementation strategy, and the associated challenges with developing and running a multicenter database. Most importantly, it highlights the clinical and research potential of the DTD for advancing the understanding and treatment of trauma-affected refugees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Høgh Thøgersen
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.B.); (S.G.B.); (S.P.); (S.B.); (L.N.)
| | - Line Bager
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.B.); (S.G.B.); (S.P.); (S.B.); (L.N.)
- National Center for Register-Based Research, Aarhus University, 8210 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sofie Grimshave Bangsgaard
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.B.); (S.G.B.); (S.P.); (S.B.); (L.N.)
| | - Sabina Palic
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.B.); (S.G.B.); (S.P.); (S.B.); (L.N.)
| | | | - Stine Bjerrum Møller
- The Clinics for Trauma and Torture Survivors (ATT), 7100 Vejle, Denmark;
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Louise Tækker
- Privat Treatment Center for Traumatized Refugees and Their Families, (OASIS), 1164 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | | | - Søren Bothe
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.B.); (S.G.B.); (S.P.); (S.B.); (L.N.)
| | - Linda Nordin
- The Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (L.B.); (S.G.B.); (S.P.); (S.B.); (L.N.)
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, 22100 Lund, Sweden
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Schiess-Jokanovic J, Gösling-Steirer C, Kantor V, Knefel M, Weindl D, Lueger-Schuster B. "My brain freezes and I am blocked again": The subjective experience of post-migration living difficulties influenced by complex posttraumatic stress disorder of Afghan asylum seekers and refugees in Austria. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288691. [PMID: 37494342 PMCID: PMC10370748 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Potentially traumatic experiences and post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) undoubtedly leave marks on mental health and psychosocial functioning. While PMLDs are recognised as a risk factor for posttraumatic stress disorder and complex posttraumatic stress disorder (described together here as C/PTSD), recent investigations have found that C/PTSD symptoms might also influence the experience of PMLDs. The subjective experience of and coping with PMLDs in the context of C/PTSD symptoms has not yet been explored. METHODS Semi-structured, interpreter-assisted interviews exploring the subjective experience of post-migration living difficulties were conducted with treatment-seeking Afghan refugees and asylum seekers (N = 24) and transcribed verbatim. Participants were screened using the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) and allocated to a C/PTSD group or non-C/PTSD group. We analysed the qualitative interviews using content analysis and then compared the results of the two groups. RESULTS Over half of the participants (58.3%) met the criteria for C/PTSD. While the two groups addressed numerous similar themes, the C/PTSD group more frequently mentioned themes associated with C/PTSD symptoms (e.g., intrusions, avoidance, sleep disturbances, affective dysregulation) that influenced their responses to PMLDs. The non-C/PTSD group more often experienced positive emotions such as gratitude and optimism, and showed more active, solution-oriented behaviour as well as positive self-verbalisation. CONCLUSION To achieve a deeper understanding of PMLDs, post-traumatic psychopathology should be taken into account, as C/PTSD symptoms influence the experience of and coping with PMLDs. The specifics of individual experiences need to be considered in order to promote adaptive coping with PMLDs and to set individual trauma-focused and transdiagnostic treatment targets. In addition, psychological interventions should incorporate psychoeducation to improve the understanding of the impact of C/PTSD on the current experience of PMLDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schiess-Jokanovic
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Gösling-Steirer
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Viktoria Kantor
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Matthias Knefel
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dina Weindl
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Brigitte Lueger-Schuster
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Moran JK, Jesuthasan J, Schalinski I, Kurmeyer C, Oertelt-Prigione S, Abels I, Stangier U, Starck A, Gutermann J, Zier U, Wollny A, Richter K, Krüger A, Schouler-Ocak M. Traumatic Life Events and Association With Depression, Anxiety, and Somatization Symptoms in Female Refugees. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2324511. [PMID: 37471088 PMCID: PMC10359962 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.24511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Different types of traumatic life events have varying impacts on symptoms of depression, anxiety, and somatization. For women from areas of the world experiencing war and humanitarian crises, who have experienced cumulative trauma exposure during war and forced migration, it is not known whether cumulative trauma or particular events have the greatest impact on symptoms. Objective To examine which traumatic life events are associated with depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms, compared with the cumulative amount, in a sample of female refugees. Design, Setting, and Participants For this cross-sectional study, data were collected in 2016 as a part of The Study on Female Refugees. The current analysis was conducted in 2022 to 2023. This multicenter study covered 5 provinces in Germany. Participants were recruited at reception centers for refugees. Women volunteered to participate and to be interviewed after information seminars at the different centers. Exposure Traumatic life events experienced by refugees from areas of the world experiencing war and humanitarian crises. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic variables (age, country of origin, religion, education, relationship status, and children), traumatic and adverse life events, and self-reported depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms were measured. Random forest regressions simultaneously examined the importance of these variables on symptom scores. Follow-up exploratory mediation models tested potential associative pathways between the identified variables of importance. Results For the final sample of 620 refugee women (mean [SD] age, 32.34 [10.35] years), family violence was most associated with depression (mean [SD] variable of importance [VIM], 2.93 [0.09]), anxiety (mean [SD] VIM, 4.15 [0.11]), and somatization (mean [SD] VIM, 3.99 [0.15]), even though it was less common than other traumatic experiences, including war, accidents, hunger, or lack of housing. Other factors, such as childhood sexual abuse, injury, near-death experiences, and lack of access to health care, were also important. Follow-up analyses showed partial mediation effects between these factors in their association with symptoms, supporting the unique importance of family violence in understanding mental health. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cross-sectional study of refugee women who experienced multiple severe traumas related to war in their home countries and danger encountered during their migration suggest that family violence was key to their current mental health problems. Culturally sensitive assessment and treatment need to place special emphasis on these family dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Kenneth Moran
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Multisensory Integration Lab, Charité Universitätsmedizin, St Hedwig Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Jesuthasan
- Psychiatric University Clinic Charité, St Hedwig Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - Inga Schalinski
- Universität der Bundeswehr München, Department of Human Sciences, Institute of Psychology, Munich, Germany
| | - Christine Kurmeyer
- Office of the Equal Opportunities Officer, Charité–Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Oertelt-Prigione
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- AG 10 Sex- and Gender-Sensitive Medicine, Medical Faculty OWL, University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ingar Abels
- Office of the Equal Opportunities Officer, Charité–Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrich Stangier
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Annabelle Starck
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jana Gutermann
- Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Department of Psychology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ulrike Zier
- Institute of Occupational, Social, and Environmental Medicine, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Now with Ministry of Science and Health of Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anja Wollny
- Institute of General Practice, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Knejinja Richter
- CuraMed Tagesklinik Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
- Technische Hochschule Nürnberg, Nuremberg, Germany
| | - Antje Krüger
- Institute of General Practice, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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Nguyen TP, Slewa-Younan S, Rioseco P. Trajectories of psychological distress and social integration in newly resettled refugees: findings from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023:10.1007/s00127-023-02528-7. [PMID: 37393205 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-023-02528-7] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Refugees are at greater risk of mental illness due to stressors encountered post-resettlement. However, few longitudinal studies have examined the within-person effects of these stressors, especially with respect to social integration. This study aims to examine what factors are associated with psychological distress in a longitudinal sample of refugees resettled in Australia. METHODS This study used data from three Waves of the Building a New Life in Australia study, collected between 2013 and 2018. The eligible sample included 1881 adult respondents, clustered in 1175 households. We conducted multilevel mixed-effects growth modelling incorporating time-variant and time-invariant covariates with psychological distress, using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). RESULTS Rates of high psychological distress increased across the 5-year follow-up period. Social integration stressors (e.g. discrimination, lower sense of belonging, loneliness, lower English proficiency) were associated with higher levels of psychological distress over time. Refugees reporting loneliness not only had a greater risk of elevated psychological distress at each time point, but the difference in risk increased over each time point. Refugees who were exposed to traumatic events, older, female and of Middle Eastern background were also more likely to report higher levels of psychological distress over time. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight the importance of identifying refugees who may encounter difficulties with social integration in the early years of resettlement. Newly arrived refugees may benefit from longer-term resettlement programmes that address post-migratory stressors, particularly with regards to loneliness, to reduce the prevalence of elevated psychological distress during the early years of resettlement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Nguyen
- Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, Sydney, NSW, 1797, Australia.
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- School of Psychiatry, Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Shameran Slewa-Younan
- Mental Health, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith South DC, Sydney, NSW, 1797, Australia
- School of Medicine, Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Pilar Rioseco
- Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Knappe F, Filippou K, Hatzigeorgiadis A, Morres ID, Tzormpatzakis E, Havas E, Seelig H, Colledge F, Ludyga S, Meier M, de Quervain D, Theodorakis Y, von Känel R, Pühse U, Gerber M. Psychological well-being, mental distress, metabolic syndrome, and associated factors among people living in a refugee camp in Greece: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1179756. [PMID: 37397726 PMCID: PMC10311549 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1179756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Forcibly displaced people face various challenges and are therefore at higher risk of being affected by mental and physiological distress. The present study aimed to determine levels of psychological well-being, PTSD symptom severity, metabolic syndrome, and associated factors among forcibly displaced people in Greece in response to WHO's call for evidence-based public health policies and programs for forcibly displaced people. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among n = 150 (50% women) forcibly displaced people originating from Sub-Sahara Africa and Southwest Asia living in a Greek refugee camp. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess psychological well-being, symptoms of PTSD, depression, generalized anxiety disorder and insomnia, perceived stress, headache, and perceived fitness. Cardiovascular risk markers were assessed to determine metabolic syndrome, and cardiorespiratory fitness was measured with the Åstrand-Rhyming Test of Maximal Oxygen Uptake. Results The prevalence of mental distress and physiological disorders was overall elevated. Only 53.0% of participants rated their psychological well-being as high. Altogether, 35.3% scored above the clinical cut-off for PTSD, 33.3% for depression, 27.9% for generalized anxiety disorder, and 33.8% for insomnia. One in four (28.8%) participants met criteria for metabolic syndrome. While the prevalence of moderate or severe insomnia symptoms and metabolic syndrome differed little from the global population, the risk of being affected by mental distress was markedly increased. In multivariable analysis, higher perceived fitness was associated with higher psychological well-being (OR = 1.35, p = 0.003) and a decreased likelihood for metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.80, p = 0.031). Participants with elevated psychiatric symptoms were less likely to report high psychological well-being (OR = 0.22, p = 0.003) and had increased odds for higher PTSD severity (OR = 3.27, p = 0.034). Increased stress perception was associated with higher PTSD symptoms (OR = 1.13, p = 0.002). Conclusion There is an elevated risk for mental distress compared to the global population and an overall high mental and physiological burden among people living in a Greek refugee camp. The findings underpin the call for urgent action. Policies should aim to reduce post-migration stressors and address mental health and non-communicable diseases by various programs. Sport and exercise interventions may be a favorable add-on, given that perceived fitness is associated with both mental and physiological health benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Knappe
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinia Filippou
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Antonis Hatzigeorgiadis
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Ioannis D. Morres
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Tzormpatzakis
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Elsa Havas
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Harald Seelig
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Flora Colledge
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Ludyga
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marianne Meier
- Interdisciplinary Center for Gender Studies, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Yannis Theodorakis
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Roland von Känel
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Pühse
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markus Gerber
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Forrest W, Steel Z. The impact of immigration detention on the mental health of refugees and asylum seekers. J Trauma Stress 2023; 36:642-653. [PMID: 37338992 DOI: 10.1002/jts.22944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Studies consistently report that asylum seekers held in immigration detention have relatively high rates of mental distress, yet evidence of the long-term impact of immigration detention is limited. Using propensity score-based methods, we estimated the impact of immigration detention on the prevalence of nonspecific psychological distress, using the Kessler-6, and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), using the PTSD-8, among participants in a national sample of asylum seekers in the 5 years following their resettlement in Australia (N = 334). At Wave 1, the prevalence of nonspecific psychological distress was high among all participants regardless of detainment status, OR = 0.28, 95% CI [0.04, 2.06], and did not change over time for either detainees (n = 222), OR = 1.01, 95% CI [0.46, 2.18], or nondetainees (n = 103), OR = 0.81, 95% CI [0.39, 1.67]. In contrast, the odds of probable PTSD were significantly higher for former detainees, OR = 8.20; 95% CI [2.61, 26.73], than nondetainees at Wave 1; although they declined among former detainees, OR = 0.56, 95% CI [0.38, 0.82]), and increased among nondetainees, OR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.11, 2.23], in the years following resettlement. These results imply the use of immigration detention to manage unauthorized migration increases the prevalence of probable PTSD in the short term among former detainees who have resettled in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Forrest
- School of Law, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - Zachary Steel
- School of Psychiatry, University New South Wales, St. John of God Health Care, Richmond Hospital, North Richmond, Australia
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Al-Adhami M, Wångdahl J, Salari R, Åkerman E. "Putting words to their feelings"- civic communicators' perceptions and experiences of an in-depth course on mental health for newly settled refugee migrants in Sweden. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:510. [PMID: 37208683 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09524-2] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newly settled refugee migrants face psychological stressors stemming from pre-, during- and post-migration experiences. In Sweden, mental health promotion is part of the health module in the civic orientation classes for newly settled refugee migrants. Training courses are offered to civic communicators and workshop leaders to facilitate communication about mental health; however, the training is seldom evaluated. In the current study, we aim to explore civic communicators' perceptions and experiences of an in-depth mental health training course in relation to observed needs among newly settled refugee migrants. METHOD We interviewed ten civic communicators that had partaken in the in-depth training course on mental health. All respondents had prior migratory experience and worked as civic communicators in their native languages. The interviews were semi-structured and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Three themes were identified: (1) Intertwined mental health needs related to migration, (2) Multi-layered barriers to addressing mental health, and (3) Becoming aware of the mental health journey. One overarching theme was arrived at through synthesizing the three themes 'Acquired new tools to lead reflective conversations about mental health and well-being'. CONCLUSION The in-depth mental health training course led to the attainment of new knowledge and new tools enabling civic communicators to lead reflective conversations about mental health and well-being with newly settled refugee migrants. Mental health needs were related to pre- and post-migration experiences. Barriers to talking about mental health included stigma and a lack of arenas to promote the mental health of refugee migrants. Increasing knowledge among civic communicators can facilitate the promotion of mental self-help capacity and resilience among newly settled refugee migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maissa Al-Adhami
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Research and Learning for Sustainable Development and Global Health (SWEDESD), Uppsala University, Box 564, Uppsala, 751 22, Sweden.
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University, Box 564, Uppsala, 751 22, Sweden.
| | - Josefin Wångdahl
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University, Box 564, Uppsala, 751 22, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet & Stockholm University, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77, Solna, Sweden
| | - Raziye Salari
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Uppsala University, Box 564, Uppsala, 751 22, Sweden
| | - Eva Åkerman
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 18A, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Spaaij J, Fuhr DC, Akhtar A, Casanova L, Klein T, Schick M, Weilenmann S, Roberts B, Morina N. Scaling-up problem management plus for refugees in Switzerland - a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:488. [PMID: 37189160 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09491-8] [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: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refugees are at an increased risk of developing symptoms of mental disorders but face various structural and socio-cultural barriers to accessing mental health care. The SPIRIT project (Scaling-up Psychological Interventions in Refugees In SwiTzerland) seeks to promote the resilience of refugees and improve their access to mental health care. For this purpose, Problem Management Plus (PM+), an evidence-based low-intensity psychological intervention delivered by trained non-specialist "helpers", is being scaled-up in Switzerland. OBJECTIVE To identify factors influencing the process of the large-scale implementation of PM + for refugees in Switzerland and to develop recommendations to guide the implementation process. METHODS 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants (Syrian refugees who previously participated in PM+, PM + helpers, health professionals working with refugees and decision-makers from the migration, integration, social, and health sectors). The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, combining an inductive and deductive approach. RESULTS The data revealed three major themes, which might have an impact for the longer-term implementation of PM + in Switzerland. First, preconditions for successful integration in the health system prior to scaling-up such as sustainable funding or the introduction of a stepped care approach. Second, the requirements for the PM + intervention supporting scale-up such as quality control during PM + delivery, PM + modality, time and setting when PM + is offered or the views on task sharing. Third, the perceived benefits of scaling-up PM + in Switzerland. CONCLUSIONS Our results have shown that PM + must be scaled-up within a stepped care approach, including a functioning triage system and sustainable funding. Rather than selecting one modality or setting, it seemed preferable to offer a variety of formats and settings to achieve maximum reach and benefits. A successful scale-up of PM + in Switzerland might have various benefits. Communicating them to policy-makers and health providers, might enhance their acceptability of the intervention and their willingness to adopt PM + in regulatory structure and promote it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Spaaij
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland.
| | - Daniela C Fuhr
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Department of Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany
- Health Sciences, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Aemal Akhtar
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Insurance Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luisa Casanova
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Klein
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Matthis Schick
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Sonja Weilenmann
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
| | - Bayard Roberts
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Naser Morina
- Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich, CH-8091, Switzerland
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van der Meer AS, Durlach F, Szota K, Christiansen H. "I can't describe how I could get better, but I would like to" - Conception of health and illness of refugee youth in Germany. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1107889. [PMID: 37251071 PMCID: PMC10213462 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1107889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction and objective Almost half of all the people displaced worldwide are children and adolescents. Many refugee children, adolescents, and young adults suffer from psychological stress. However, their utilization of (mental) health services is low, probably due to a lack of knowledge about (mental) health and (mental) health care. The current study aimed to explore concepts of (mental) health and illness of refugee youth as well as assess their mental health literacy (MHL) to arrive at conclusions for improving mental health care access and use. Method From April 2019 to October 2020, we conducted 24 face-to-face interviews with refugee children and adolescents in an outpatient clinic (n = 8), in youth welfare facilities (n = 10), and at a middle school (n = 6). A semi-structured interview was used to assess knowledge about mental and somatic health and illness as well as corresponding health strategies and care options. The material was evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Results Participants (N = 24) were between 11 and 21 years old (M = 17.9, SD = 2.4). The coded material was assigned to four thematic main areas: (1) conception of illness, (2) conception of health, (3) knowledge about health care structures in their country of origin, and (4) perceptions of mental health care structures in Germany. Compared to somatic health, the interviewed refugee children and adolescents knew little about mental health. Furthermore, respondents were more aware of opportunities of somatic health promotion, but almost none knew how to promote their mental health. In our group-comparative analysis we observed that younger children possess little knowledge about mental health-related topics. Conclusion Our results show that refugee youth have more knowledge about somatic health and somatic health care than about mental health (care). Accordingly, interventions to promote the MHL of refugee youth are necessary to improve their utilization of mental health services and to provide adequate mental health care.
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ten Have NJ, Jimenez KJ, Attilus J, Livaudais MB, Mengistu BS. COVID-19 and Protracted Displacement: a Scoping Review of Migration Policies in Mexico and Central America. JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION 2023:1-29. [PMID: 37360632 PMCID: PMC10172065 DOI: 10.1007/s12134-023-01040-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
By the end of 2020, more than 500,000 migrants from Central America, Haiti, Africa, and Asia sought asylum along the US-Mexico border despite COVID-19-related travel restrictions and public health measures. A scoping review was conducted to understand the role of COVID-19-related policies on irregular migration flows through Central America and Mexico and to examine the experiences of asylum seekers traversing this region. Peer-reviewed literature, policy briefs, and commentaries were screened for inclusion, resulting in 33 documents selected for this review. This review identified three dominant themes: border closures due to multiple national migration policies, delays in asylum procedures, and increased risks to migrant wellbeing. This article argues that border closures were a punitive policy measure to deter irregular migration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for future research and policy include prioritizing the health needs of asylum seekers and advocating the appropriateness and effectiveness of immigration and public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noor J. ten Have
- Athena Institute, Vrije University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Jonas Attilus
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN USA
| | - Maria B. Livaudais
- Department of Public Health, California State University East Bay, Hayward, CA USA
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Dikoff B, Hassan R, Shankar R, Katona C, Chaplin L, Forrester A, Sen P. Supporting people with immigration issues in the context of the Mental Health Act 1983 and Mental Capacity Act 2005. MEDICINE, SCIENCE, AND THE LAW 2023:258024231171316. [PMID: 37161285 DOI: 10.1177/00258024231171316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rukyya Hassan
- Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Rohit Shankar
- University of Plymouth Peninsula School of Medicine, Truro UK, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Truro UK
| | - Cornelius Katona
- Helen Bamber Foundation London UK and Division of Psychiatry, University College London UK
| | - Lucia Chaplin
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
| | | | - Piyal Sen
- Brunel University and Elysium Healthcare, UK
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Foverskov E, White JS, Norredam M, Frøslev T, Kim MH, Glymour MM, Pedersen L, Sørensen HT, Hamad R. Neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage and psychiatric disorders among refugees: a population-based, quasi-experimental study in Denmark. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2023; 58:711-721. [PMID: 35597890 PMCID: PMC9676407 DOI: 10.1007/s00127-022-02300-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Refugees are vulnerable to psychiatric disorders because of risk factors linked to migration. Limited evidence exist on the impact of the neighbourhood in which refugee resettle. We examined whether resettling in a socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhood increased refugees' risk of psychiatric disorders. METHODS This register-based cohort study included 42,067 adults aged 18 years and older who came to Denmark as refugees during 1986-1998. Resettlement policies in those years assigned refugees in a quasi-random fashion to neighbourhoods across the country. A neighbourhood disadvantage index was constructed using neighbourhood-level data on income, education, unemployment, and welfare receipt. Main outcomes were psychiatric diagnoses and psychiatric medication usage ascertained from nationwide patient and prescription drug registers, with up to 30-year follow-up. Associations of neighbourhood disadvantage with post-migration risk of psychiatric disorders were examined using Cox proportional hazards and linear probability models adjusted for individual, family, and municipality characteristics. RESULTS The cumulative risk of psychiatric diagnoses and medication was 13.7% and 46.1%, respectively. Refugees' risk of psychiatric diagnoses and psychiatric medication usage was higher among individuals assigned to high-disadvantage compared with low-disadvantage neighbourhoods in analyses including fixed effects for assigned municipality (psychiatric diagnoses: hazard ratio (HR) = 1.14, 95% CI 1.04, 1.25; psychiatric medication: HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.00, 1.11). Consistent results were found using linear probability models. Results for diagnostic categories and subclasses of medications suggested that the associations were driven by neurotic and stress-related disorders and use of anxiolytic medications. CONCLUSION Resettlement in highly disadvantaged neighbourhoods was associated with an increase in refugees' risk of psychiatric disorders, suggesting that targeted placement of newly arrived refugees could benefit refugee mental health. The results contribute quasi-experimental evidence to support links between neighbourhood characteristics and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Else Foverskov
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Justin S White
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marie Norredam
- Danish Research Centre for Migration, Department of Public Health, Ethnicity and Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Trine Frøslev
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Min Hee Kim
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M Maria Glymour
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lars Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henrik T Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Rita Hamad
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Paoletti P, Perasso GF, Lillo C, Serantoni G, Maculan A, Vianello F, Di Giuseppe T. Envisioning the future for families running away from war: Challenges and resources of Ukrainian parents in Italy. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1122264. [PMID: 37008874 PMCID: PMC10050883 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1122264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Since February 2022, 7.8 million people have left Ukraine. In total, 80% are women and children. The present quali-quantitative study is the first in Italy to (i) describe the adaptation challenges and the resources of refugee parents and, indirectly, of their children and (ii) investigate the impact of neuropsychopedagogical training on their wellbeing. The sample includes N = 15 Ukrainian parents (80% mothers, mean age = 34 years) who arrived in Italy in March and April 2022. The parents participated in neuropsychopedagogical training within the program Envisioning the Future (EF): the 10 Keys to Resilience. Before the training, participants completed an ad hoc checklist to detect adjustment difficulties. After the training, they responded to a three-item post-training questionnaire on the course and to a semi-structured interview deepening adaptation problems, personal resources, and the neuropsychopedagogical training effects. Participants report that since they departed from Ukraine, they have experienced sleep, mood, and concentration problems, and specific fears, which they also observed in their children. They report self-efficacy, self-esteem, social support, spirituality, and common humanity as their principal resources. As effects of the training, they report an increased sense of security, quality of sleep, and more frequent positive thoughts. The interviews also reveal a 3-fold positive effect of the training (e.g., behavioral, emotional-relational, and cognitive-narrative).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giulia Federica Perasso
- Research Institute for Neuroscience Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giulia Federica Perasso
| | - Carmela Lillo
- Research Institute for Neuroscience Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy
| | - Grazia Serantoni
- Research Institute for Neuroscience Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy
| | - Alessandro Maculan
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Francesca Vianello
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Pedagogy, and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Tania Di Giuseppe
- Research Institute for Neuroscience Education and Didactics, Fondazione Patrizio Paoletti, Assisi, Italy
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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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Kip A, Iseke LN, Papola D, Gastaldon C, Barbui C, Morina N. Efficacy of psychological interventions for PTSD in distinct populations - An evidence map of meta-analyses using the umbrella review methodology. Clin Psychol Rev 2023; 100:102239. [PMID: 36529109 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2022.102239] [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: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
We aimed at mapping the meta-analytic evidence base on the efficacy of psychological treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in specific populations. We conducted a systematic search until January 2022 in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PTSDpubs, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials. We contrasted all eligible meta-analyses irrespective of overlapping datasets to present a comprehensive overview of the state of research. Reporting quality was assessed using the AMSTAR 2 tool and certainty of evidence was assessed using established umbrella review criteria. Nine meta-analyses with distinct adult populations (51 unique trials) and four with children and adolescents (24 unique trials) were included. Reporting quality of meta-analyses was heterogeneous with risk of bias assessment being rated lowest. The certainty of evidence on the efficacy of psychological interventions for adult populations was thoroughly weak because of small samples and large heterogeneity. In war- and conflict-affected youth, the certainty of evidence was suggestive. Our review highlights the need to improve quality of meta-analyses on treatment efficacy for PTSD. More importantly, however, the findings demonstrate the need for new large-scale trials on the efficacy of treatments for PTSD in distinct populations in order to increase certainty of evidence and to identify potential differences in treatment responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlke Kip
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Linnéa N Iseke
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Davide Papola
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Chiara Gastaldon
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Corrado Barbui
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health and Service Evaluation, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Science, Section of Psychiatry, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nexhmedin Morina
- Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
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Sim A, Puffer E, Ahmad A, Hammad L, Georgiades K. Resettlement, mental health, and coping: a mixed methods survey with recently resettled refugee parents in Canada. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:386. [PMID: 36823525 PMCID: PMC9948768 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resettlement experiences of refugee parents are under-researched despite evidence indicating higher risk of poor mental health. The current study integrates family systems and social determinants of refugee mental health frameworks to examine: (1) Refugee parents' experiences of resettlement stressors and mental health; (2) Perceived impacts of resettlement stressors on individual and family indicators of well-being; and (3) Refugee parents' coping strategies and resources. METHODS The study draws on data from a mixed methods survey conducted with 40 Government-Assisted Refugee parents who had resettled to Hamilton, Canada within the past 4 years. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed separately and then integrated at the results stage using a weaving approach. RESULTS Results indicate significant exposure to economic and social stressors across multiple domains of daily life, as well as high levels of parental psychological distress. Parents drew linkages between resettlement stressors and negative mental health impacts that were compounded by intersecting risk factors of ill health, caregiving burden, single parenthood, and low levels of education and literacy. Most parents rated themselves as coping well or very well and described various coping strategies such as positive reframing, problem solving, planning, and turning to religion. Quantitative and qualitative findings indicate high frequency of positive parent-child interaction and low frequency of family conflict, and highlight the importance of family as a protective resource for coping with adversity. Exploratory regression analyses suggest that longer stay in Canada, poorer self-rated health, higher levels of resettlement stressors, and more conflict between adults in the household may be associated with greater psychological distress. CONCLUSION Study findings highlight both the resilience of refugee parents and the psychological toll of navigating their families through a new and challenging environment. Policies and programs to provide comprehensive social and economic supports to refugees beyond the first one to two years after arrival are necessary to mitigate the mental health impacts of displacement over time and strengthen individual and family resilience. Such programs should include culturally responsive and family-based models of mental health care that acknowledge collective experiences and impacts of adversity, as well as harness family resources to overcome past and present challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Sim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, The Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
| | - Eve Puffer
- grid.26009.3d0000 0004 1936 7961Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC USA
| | - Afreen Ahmad
- grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, The Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Lina Hammad
- grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, The Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Katholiki Georgiades
- grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, The Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
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Strupf M, Wiechers M, Bajbouj M, Böge K, Karnouk C, Goerigk S, Kamp-Becker I, Banaschewski T, Rapp M, Hasan A, Falkai P, Jobst-Heel A, Habel U, Stamm T, Heinz A, Hoell A, Burger M, Bunse T, Hoehne E, Mehran N, Kaiser F, Hahn E, Plener P, Übleis A, Padberg F. Predicting treatment outcomes of the Empowerment group intervention for refugees with affective disorders: Findings from the MEHIRA project. J Affect Disord 2023; 323:241-250. [PMID: 36427652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research on outcome predictors in the field of transcultural treatment for refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) is scarce. We aimed to evaluate predictors of outcome of a group intervention (Empowerment) for RAS with affective disorders which was incorporated at level three of the stratified stepped-care model within the Mental Health in Refugees and Asylum Seekers (MEHIRA) project. METHODS A predictor analysis was performed at level three of the MEHIRA project, where 149 refugees with moderate depressive symptoms were treated either with Empowerment or Treatment-as-usual (TAU). Outcome measures were depression severity as assessed by patient-rated Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) and clinician-rated Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Regression models with change scores (T1-T0) of PHQ-9 and MADRS as dependent variables were fit. Predictor selection was a mixed-method approach combining testing of literature-based hypotheses and explorative hypothesis-generating analyses of multiple baseline variables. RESULTS Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses revealed significant linear relationships between change in PHQ-9 and baseline depression severity (β = -0.35, t = -3.27, p = .002) and perceived self-efficacy (β = -0.24, t = -2.26, p = .027) in the treatment (verum) condition. MADRS change scores were predicted by baseline depression severity (β = -0.71, t = -8.65, p < .001) in the treatment (verum) condition. LIMITATIONS Due to small cell numbers, single predictors could not be evaluated reliably. CONCLUSIONS Severity of depression and self-efficacy at baseline were predictors of symptom improvement at level three (Empowerment) of the MEHIRA project. Comorbidity and trauma indicators did not predict outcomes in the treatment (verum) condition, pointing towards broad applicability of the Empowerment intervention in refugee populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Strupf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany.
| | - Maren Wiechers
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerem Böge
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Carine Karnouk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Goerigk
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany; Department of Psychological Methodology and Assessment, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany; Charlotte Fresenius Hochschule, University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany
| | - Inge Kamp-Becker
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Banaschewski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Rapp
- Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Alkomiet Hasan
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University Augsburg, BKH Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Peter Falkai
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Jobst-Heel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Ute Habel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Heinz
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hoell
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Max Burger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilmann Bunse
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Medical Faculty, University Augsburg, BKH Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Edgar Hoehne
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nassim Mehran
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Kaiser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Eric Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Plener
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Aline Übleis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
| | - Frank Padberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital LMU, Munich, Germany
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Carpiniello B. The Mental Health Costs of Armed Conflicts-A Review of Systematic Reviews Conducted on Refugees, Asylum-Seekers and People Living in War Zones. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2840. [PMID: 36833537 PMCID: PMC9957523 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Armed conflicts produce a wide series of distressing consequences, including death, all of which impact negatively on the lives of survivors. This paper focuses specifically on the mental health consequences of war on adults and child/adolescent refugees or those living in war zones through a review of all systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses published from 2005 up until the current time. RESULTS Fifteen systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses conducted in adult populations, and seven relating to children and adolescents, were selected for the purpose of this review. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were two- to three-fold higher amongst people exposed to armed conflict compared to those who had not been exposed, with women and children being the most vulnerable to the outcome of armed conflicts. A series of war-related, migratory and post-migratory stressors contribute to short- and long-term mental health issues in the internally displaced, asylum seekers and refugees. CONCLUSION It should be a required social responsibility for all psychiatrists and psychiatric associations to commit to raising awareness amongst political decision-makers as to the mental health consequences caused by armed conflicts, as part of their duty of care for people experiencing the consequences of war.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Carpiniello
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medical Science and Public Health, University of Cagliari & Psychiatric Unit, University Hospital, 09127 Cagliari, Italy
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