Traumatic experiences of conditional refugee children and adolescents and predictors of post-traumatic stress disorder: data from Turkey

Author(s):  
Çiğdem Yektaş ◽  
Hakan Erman ◽  
Ali Evren Tufan
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Esra Teke ◽  
Selahattin Avşaroğlu

The purpose of the present study is to examine the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For this purpose, a framework was determined by using findings of the research and explanations at the conceptual level. PTSD is a mental disorder that is experienced after traumatic events, affects individuals cognitively, emotionally, and behaviorally and threatens the integrity of an individual's life. EMDR therapy is a therapy that imaginatively reveals the past or traumatic experiences of the client through eye movements and other bilateral stimuli (two-way sound or tactile stimulus), facilitates information processing processes. Whereas EMDR was initially an approach developed for adults, it was later used for children and adolescents. The fact that it gives positive results in a short time and these positive results continue in follow-up studies has increased the interest in using EMDR for children and adolescents with PTSD. The use of EMDR for children and adolescents has allowed their problems to be resolved in a timely manner and reduced PTSD symptoms. This situation has drawn attention to the importance of using EMDR in the practice of psychological counselors working in school environments, leading places where they work with children and adolescents, and where the first preventive and interventional studies are carried out. Therefore, it is considered that the use of EMDR will be functional in overcoming these negative life experiences of many students who have been directly or indirectly exposed to traumatic experiences during the COVID-19 epidemic period.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Malliarou ◽  
Dimitra Tsapakidi ◽  
Mairi Gouva ◽  
Evaggelia Kotrotsiou ◽  
Athanasios Nikolentzos ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The number of refugees and displaced people who have been forced to migrate due to war, mass violence and political instability has reached unprecedented levels. The objective of this study was to assess the degree of depression, resilience and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in asylum-seeker war refugees, temporally stationed in Larisa, Central Greece, through self-administered questionnaire. Simple regression, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and one-way Anova was used.Methods A cross-sectional study carried out with asylum-seeker war refugees residing in Larisa at a number of apartments rented and ran by the UNHCR and the municipality of Larisa. For the data collection PHQ-9 questionnaire, CD-RISC questionnaire and Harvard Trauma questionnaire (HTQ) were used. Descriptive statistics were applied, as well as Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.Results A total of 64 immigrants (40 males and 23 females, 1-mssing value) agreed to participate in the research. The mean age was 35.72 (SD 7.45), 35 respondents were classified as increased PTSD (scores > 2.5). The results showed a physically and exhausted sample, with marginal mental strength (Mean = 59.38%), fluctuating between moderate (N% = 28.10%) and severe depression (N% = 28.10%). About one in two participants (N% = 54.70%) showed signs of post-traumatic stress disorder PTSD, reporting traumatic experiences that mainly involved immediate events of violence, i.e. beating, while there were very few cases of sexual abuse or violence. A key factor in the formulation of PTSD, depression and Mental Stress Indicators was found to be age but limited to 43 years.Conclusion This study revealed that the refugees of the sample are tired, after being absent and idle for about 2 years from their homeland, in a marginal state of collapse. The most important event-hope that sustains its moderate resilience is the grant of asylum and the hope of arrival in the country of destination.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
F J W Calitz ◽  
N J De Jongh ◽  
A Horn ◽  
M L Nel ◽  
G Joubert

<p><strong>Background.</strong> Children and adolescents can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after exposure to a range of traumatic events, including domestic, political or community violence, violent crime, physical and sexual abuse, hijacking, witnessing a violent crime and motor vehicle accidents. This is particularly critical given the substantial challenge that PTSD poses to the healthy physical, cognitive and emotional development of children and adolescents.</p><p><strong>Methods.</strong> The clinical records of 1 229 children (age 2 - 11 years) and adolescents (age 12 - 18 years) treated at the Child Mental Health Unit of the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) were screened for the diagnosis of PTSD and analysed for the purpose of this study.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Forty-nine (4.0%) of the children and adolescents treated at the unit were diagnosed with PTSD, of whom most were female (63.3%). Approximately 22% of the participants had comorbid major depressive disorder. The main traumatic event in both groups was witnessing the death of a close relative (32.7%), followed by sexual assault (25%), rape (25%) and physical attack (10.2%). Associated stressors identified included problems at school (55.1%), isolation (39%), fear or anxiety (37%), problematic family relationships (29%), emotional (27%) and physical (23%) abuse, and lack of social support (23%). Most of the participants (59.2%) received psychotherapy.</p><p><strong>Conclusions.</strong> Children and adolescents referred to the FSPC are also exposed to traumatic events which lead to the development of PTSD. The Free State is a sprawling province with remote areas where specialist services and facilities are limited. It is therefore recommended that preventive programmes, training opportunities and consultation services are implemented to identify and treat children and adolescents with PTSD. Schools with limited access to psychological services and large classrooms, impeding the diagnosis and treatment of PTSD specifically, face similar challenges. Reinforcement of professional services and the upgrading of facilities will decrease the burden on the Child Mental Health Unit, but will require collaborative efforts from role players such as the National Departments of Health and Education.</p>


Literator ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisa Botha

This article analyses well-known anti-apartheid activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s prison memoir 491 Days: Prisoner Number 1323/69 (2013) for depictions of suffering. This memoir reveals aspects of politically inflicted trauma, particularly the suffering sustained in prolonged solitary confinement and the resulting psychological sequelae for the prisoner. To move beyond a vague understanding of her traumatic experiences, this article draws on the field of psychiatry, specifically the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to gain greater insight as this tool may also be regarded as a type of narrative that could aid in the comprehension of traumatic events. References will be made to the three main cluster symptoms of PTSD: involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event, avoidance of reminders and an ongoing sense of threat. An interdisciplinary literary-psychological approach will probably lead to a deeper understanding of the mental consequences of political imprisonment, as PTSD was not an acknowledged disorder during Madikizela-Mandela’s detainment.


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