scholarly journals Trauma exposure and refugee status as predictors of mental health outcomes in treatment-seeking refugees

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen W. Knipscheer ◽  
Marieke Sleijpen ◽  
Trudy Mooren ◽  
F. Jackie June ter Heide ◽  
Niels van der Aa
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Traumatic Memories ◽  
Reasonable Time Frame

Aims and methodThis study aimed to identify predictors of symptom severity for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in asylum seekers and refugees referred to a specialised mental health centre. Trauma exposure (number and domain of event), refugee status and severity of PTSD and depression were assessed in 688 refugees.ResultsSymptom severity of PTSD and depression was significantly associated with lack of refugee status and accumulation of traumatic events. Four domains of traumatic events (human rights abuse, lack of necessities, traumatic loss, and separation from others) were not uniquely associated with symptom severity. All factors taken together explained 11% of variance in PTSD and depression.Clinical implicationsTo account for multiple predictors of symptom severity including multiple traumatic events, treatment for traumatised refugees may need to be multimodal and enable the processing of multiple traumatic memories within a reasonable time-frame.

Prevention of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arieh Y. Shalev ◽  
Anna C. Barbano ◽  
Wei Qi ◽  
Charles R. Marmar
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Early Development ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Post Traumatic

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) follows an exposure to traumatic events and as such its onset and early development are better charted then those of most other mental disorders. It is not surprising, therefore, that major efforts have been dedicated to preventing its occurrence before, during and after trauma exposure. This chapter discusses the rationale, desirability, feasibility and outcome of interventions designed to prevent PTSD. Several efficient interventions have been documented. Barriers to their early implementations, however, greatly reduce their effectiveness and require urgent attention.

scholarly journals Addressing Adolescent Mental Health after Disasters: The Critical Role of Chronic Stressors

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (s1) ◽  
pp. s4-s4
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Newnham ◽  
Xue Gao ◽  
Elizabeth Nathan ◽  
Mark Boyes ◽  
Feng Jiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Chronic Stressors

Introduction:Prolonged conditions of chronic stress have the potential to cause mental health difficulties and disrupt developmental processes for children and adolescents. Natural disasters disproportionately affect low-resource areas, yet little is known about the interaction between trauma exposure, chronic stressors, and mental health.Aim:To determine the rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety among adolescents affected by earthquakes in China and Nepal, and examine the specific roles of trauma exposure and chronic stressors across the three mental health outcomes.Methods:A school-based, cross-sectional study of 4,215 adolescents (53% female, ages 15-19 years) was conducted in disaster-affected areas of southern China and Nepal. Participants completed a series of translated and culturally adapted standardized assessments. Mixed effects logistic regression analyses were conducted for each mental health outcome.Results:The overall rate of PTSD was 22.7% and was higher among Nepalese participants (China: 19.4% vs. Nepal: 26.8%, p<0.001), but did not differ between genders (China: p=0.087 and Nepal: p=0.758). In both countries, the level of trauma exposure was a significant risk factor for PTSD, depression, and anxiety (China: OR’s 1.09-1.18 and Nepal: OR’s 1.08-1.13). Chronic stressors significantly improved the model and further contributed to mental health outcomes (China: OR’s 1.23-1.26 and Nepal: OR’s 1.10-1.23). Multilevel risk and protective factors across all mental health outcomes will be presented.Discussion:While there are limited opportunities to protect adolescents from disaster exposure, there is significant potential to address the effects of ongoing economic insecurity, domestic violence, and school cessation that are likely to worsen mental health outcomes. Programs that identify chronic stressors for adolescents in disaster-affected settings, and work to address poverty and violence, will have cascading effects for mental health, development, and security.

scholarly journals Public Safety Personnel’s interpretations of potentially traumatic events

2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
R Ricciardelli ◽  
S Czarnuch ◽  
T O Afifi ◽  
T Taillieu ◽  
R N Carleton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Care Seeking ◽  
Occupational Culture ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Potentially Traumatic Events ◽  
Public Safety Personnel ◽  
The Individual

Abstract Background Many public safety personnel (PSP) experience trauma directly or indirectly in their occupational role, yet there remain barriers to accessing care or seeking help. Aims To understand how PSP interpret different potentially traumatic events and how perceived eligibility for being traumatized is determined among PSP. Methods We analysed open-ended comments provided by over 800 PSP in a survey designed to assess the prevalence of post-traumatic stress injuries and other mental disorders. Results We found evidence that a trauma hierarchy may exist among PSP. Certain experiences may be interpreted as more traumatic, based on both the event and the PSP role in the actual event. For example, involvement in a shooting may be interpreted as more traumatic than arriving on the scene later. Similarly, a single event may be deemed more traumatic than an accumulation of events. The role of the individual and social context in shaping experiences and interpretations of trauma may be largely ignored in line with confirmation biases. Conclusions The role that individuals and social contexts play in shaping experiences and interpretations of trauma appear suppressed by perceptions of a trauma hierarchy, facilitating systematic discrediting or valuation of some experiences, therein evidencing that trauma is subjective and reinforcing barriers to care seeking. A trauma hierarchy may also propagate stigma and legitimize discrimination regarding mental health. We argue that recognizing, engaging with, and dismantling the perception of a trauma hierarchy may help create a respectful and open occupational culture supportive of mental health needs.

scholarly journals Gender differences in response to war-related trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder – a study among the Congolese refugees in Uganda

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert E. Ainamani ◽  
Thomas Elbert ◽  
David Kani Olema ◽  
Tobias Hecker
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Ptsd Symptom ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Ptsd Symptom Severity

Abstract Background The wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo have left indelible marks on the mental health and functioning of the Congolese civilians that sought refuge in Uganda. Even though it is clear that civilians who are exposed to potentially traumatizing events in war and conflict areas develop trauma-related mental health problems, scholarly information on gender differences on exposure to different war-related traumatic events, their conditional risks to developing PTSD and whether the cumulative exposure to traumatic events affects men and women differently is still scanty. Methods In total, 325 (n = 143 males, n = 182 females) Congolese refugees who lived in Nakivale, a refugee settlement in the Southwestern part of Uganda were interviewed within a year after their arrival. Assessment included exposure to war-related traumatic events, and DSM-IV PTSD symptom severity. Results Our main findings were that refugees were highly exposed to war-related traumatic events with experiencing dangerous flight as the most common event for both men (97%) and women (97%). The overall high prevalence of PTSD differed among women (94%) and men (84%). The highest conditional prevalence of PTSD in women was associated with experiencing rape. The dose-response effect differed significantly between men and women with women showing higher PTSD symptom severity when experiencing low and moderate levels of potentially traumatizing event types. Conclusion In conflict areas, civilians are highly exposed to different types of war-related traumatic events that expose them to high levels of PTSD symptoms, particularly women. Interventions focused at reducing mental health problems resulting from war should take the context of gender into consideration.

scholarly journals Potential traumatic events in the workplace and depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress: a cross-sectional study among Dutch gynaecologists, paediatricians and orthopaedic surgeons

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e033816
Author(s):  
Karel Willem Frank Scheepstra ◽  
Hannah S Pauw ◽  
Minouk Esmee van Steijn ◽  
Claire A I Stramrood ◽  
Miranda Olff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Orthopaedic Surgeons ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Post Traumatic

ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of work-related potential traumatic events (PTEs), support protocols and mental health symptoms across Dutch gynaecologists, orthopaedic surgeons and paediatricians.DesignCross-sectional study, supplementary analysis of combined data.SettingNationwide survey between 2014 and 2017.ParticipantsAn online questionnaire was sent to all Dutch gynaecologists, orthopaedic surgeons and paediatricians, including resident physicians (4959 physicians). 1374 questionnaires were eligible for analysis, corresponding with a response rate of 27.7%.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome measures were the prevalence of work-related PTEs, depression, anxiety, psychological distress and traumatic stress, measured with validated screening instruments (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Trauma Screening Questionnaire). Secondary outcomes were the association of mental health and defensive practice to traumatic events and support protocols.ResultsOf the respondents, 20.8% experienced a work-related PTE at least 4 weeks ago. Prevalence rates indicative of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were 6.4%, 13.6% and 1.5%, respectively. Depression (9.2% vs 5.2%, p=0.019), anxiety (18.2% vs 8.2%, p<0.001) and psychological distress (22.8% vs 12.5%, p<0.001) were significantly more prevalent in female compared with male attendings. The absence of a support protocol was significantly associated with more probable PTSD (p=0.022). Those who witnessed a PTE, reported more defensive work changes (28.0% vs 20.5%, p=0.007) and those with probable PTSD considered to quit medical work more often (60.0% vs 35.8%, p=0.032).ConclusionPhysicians are frequently exposed to PTEs with high emotional impact over the course of their career. Lacking a support protocol after adverse events was associated with more post-traumatic stress. Adverse events were associated with considering to quit medical practice and a more defensive practice. More awareness must be created for the mental health of physicians as well as for the implementation of a well-organised support system after PTEs.

Mental health of Dutch Peacekeeping Veterans 10-25 years after deployment

2008 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 486-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen R. Klaassens ◽  
Tineke van Veen ◽  
Jos M.P. Weerts ◽  
Frans G. Zitman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Trauma Exposure ◽  
Brief Symptom Inventory ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Dutch Population ◽  
Peacekeeping Operations ◽  
General Dutch Population ◽  
Norm Group

AbstractObjectiveThis report describes the mental health of Dutch peacekeeping veterans, 10--25 years after deployment, and its association with deployment-related traumatic events.MethodWe randomly selected a group of 1046 peacekeeping veterans, who participated in military missions in Lebanon, former Yugoslavia, and various other missions between 1979 and 1997. We sent a questionnaire assessing current levels of psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory -- BSI), and a questionnaire assessing trauma related to deployment.ResultsPsychological data were available for 729 veterans. In 83% of the veterans, no significant psychological distress was found, whereas 17% scored above the BSI cut-off for psychopathology. Interestingly, this percentage was equal to that in a non-patient norm group.ConclusionFrom this finding we concluded that 10--25 years post-deployment, Dutch peacekeeping veterans do not show more psychological distress than the general Dutch population. In addition, we did not find a significant association between trauma exposure 10--25 years ago and current BSI scores. Moreover, trauma-exposure explained only 9% of the variance in psychological distress. Thus, although military peacekeeping operations may have a strong impact on the lives of soldiers, in this group of veterans they do not seem to have caused severe psychological distress10--25 years after deployment.

scholarly journals Trauma and psychotic experiences: transnational data from the World Mental Health Survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 211 (6) ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
John J. McGrath ◽  
Sukanta Saha ◽  
Carmen C. W. Lim ◽  
Sergio Aguilar-Gaxiola ◽  
Jordi Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Psychotic Experience ◽  
World Mental Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The World

BackgroundTraumatic events are associated with increased risk of psychotic experiences, but it is unclear whether this association is explained by mental disorders prior to psychotic experience onset.AimsTo investigate the associations between traumatic events and subsequent psychotic experience onset after adjusting for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental disorders.MethodWe assessed 29 traumatic event types and psychotic experiences from the World Mental Health surveys and examined the associations of traumatic events with subsequent psychotic experience onset with and without adjustments for mental disorders.ResultsRespondents with any traumatic events had three times the odds of other respondents of subsequently developing psychotic experiences (OR=3.1, 95% CI 2.7–3.7), with variability in strength of association across traumatic event types. These associations persisted after adjustment for mental disorders.ConclusionsExposure to traumatic events predicts subsequent onset of psychotic experiences even after adjusting for comorbid mental disorders.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the food rations of refugees in Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emery Manirambona ◽  
Theogene Uwizeyimana ◽  
Emmanuel Uwiringiyimana ◽  
Henna Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Vulnerable Communities ◽  
Adequate Food ◽  
The United Nations ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has significantly impacted the global economy, by forcing people to stay indoors and creating a ‘new normal’ of living. Rwanda has made notable efforts to fight the pandemic. However, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy are numerous and the refugees residing in Rwanda are not spared these effects. As of December 2020, 164,000 people were granted refugee status in Rwanda according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The majority were from neighbouring countries in the Great Lakes regions, including DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Burundi. The impact the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy has led to a decline in donations to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which in turn has significantly reduced the food rations of refugees. Such paucity will no doubt cause unprecedented impacts on the people residing in refugee camps, who completely depend on humanitarian aid to meet their basic food requirements. This lack of access to adequate and affordable food will expose refugees to extreme hunger and starvation, putting their lives in danger by triggering forced returns, infections, social conflicts and thus higher morbidity and mortality.Furthermore, such stressful environments would no doubt put the mental health of these already vulnerable communities at risk. It is unsurprising that refugees are more likely to experience poor mental health compared to local population, including higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This is an issue as they are also less likely to receive support than the general population. Refugees in Rwanda are under the responsibility of UNHCR and WFP, who should ensure adequate food assistance is provided to refugees and therefore ameliorate the risks to health that result from food shortages, safeguarding these vulnerable communities.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Autobiographical Memory and Mental Health Research on Refugees and Asylum Seekers

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjida Khan ◽  
Sara K. Kuhn ◽  
Shamsul Haque
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Mental Health Research ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Trauma Memory ◽  
Review Protocol ◽  
Event Recall

Research examining trauma, memory, and mental health among refugee and asylum-seeking people has increased in recent years. We systematically reviewed empirical work focusing on the link between autobiographical memory and mental health among these populations. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018095888). Six major databases were searched in August-2020 with no time limit for publication. Following PRISMA Statement guidelines, 22 articles reporting ten quantitative, nine qualitative, and three mixed-method studies were selected from 254 articles identified in the initial search. A basic convergent and qualitative meta-integration technique was employed for data extraction. Four recurrent themes were extracted: (1) memory activation method, (2) memory features, (3) memory content, and (4) refugee mental health. Theme 1 illustrates that narrative interviews, important event recall, and cue word methods were used in most studies. Theme 2 highlights that memories of refugee people were often less specific, inconsistent, and negative-focused. Retrieval failure was also common among these people. Theme 3 reveals that refugee and asylum-seeking people frequently discussed their abandoned identities, lost resources, injustices, ongoing sufferings, and pointless futures. Finally, theme 4 identifies the prevalence of various mental health conditions like Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, helplessness, and anger among these people. The results are discussed in the context of the current autobiographical memory and mental health theories, considering refugee-specific experiences in the asylum process and refugee status.

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