scholarly journals Predictors of psychological distress in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress in Germany

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0254406
Author(s):  
Anna Renner ◽  
David Jäckle ◽  
Michaela Nagl ◽  
Rahel Hoffmann ◽  
Susanne Röhr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Traumatic Events ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Migration Factors

Syria has been the main country of citizenship of refugees in Germany since 2013. Syrians face numerous human rights violations in their country that can be accompanied by the experience of potentially traumatic events, loss and displacement. Along the migration process, refugees are exposed to various factors that can have an impact on mental health. The aim of this study is to investigate sociodemographic, war- and flight-related as well as post-migration factors as predictors of posttraumatic stress, depression, somatization and anxiety in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms based in Germany. Data were based on the baseline sample of the “Sanadak” randomized-controlled trial. A total of 133 adult Syrian refugees participated in the study. A questionnaire covered sociodemographic and flight-related questions as well as standardized instruments for symptoms of PTSD (PDS-5), depression (PHQ-9), somatization (PHQ-15), anxiety (GAD-7), generalized self-efficacy (GSE), religiousness (Z-Scale), social support (ESSI) and mental health stigma (SSMIS-SF). Linear regression models were executed to predict mental health outcomes. Sociodemographic predictors (i.e., female sex, higher education) and flight-related predicting factors (i.e., variability of traumatic events) have a negative impact on mental health in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms in Germany. Mental health stigma predicts worse mental health outcomes. Post-migration factors have a major impact on mental health, such as low income, lack of social support, low life satisfaction or a strongly felt connection to Syria. Somatization is an important manifestation of mental distress in Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Our study showed a range of factors predicting the mental health of Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms. Measures to foster mental health could be securing financial security, promoting gender equality and tailored psychosocial programs addressing mental health stigma, loss and social support networks.

scholarly journals Mental Health Self-Stigma of Syrian Refugees With Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms: Investigating Sociodemographic and Psychopathological Correlates

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Bär ◽  
Alexander Pabst ◽  
Susanne Röhr ◽  
Melanie Luppa ◽  
Anna Renner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Syrian Refugees ◽  
Internalized Stigma ◽  
Stress Symptoms

Background: The high prevalence of mental disorders related to posttraumatic stress among Syrian refugees is often in contrast with their low utilization of mental health care in the host countries. Mental health self-stigma, i.e., internalized stigma of having a mental disorder, could prevent individuals from seeking mental health care. Therefore, we aimed to provide evidence on different aspects of mental health self-stigmatization among adult Syrian refugees with posttraumatic stress symptoms residing in Germany. Moreover, we investigated associations with sociodemographic and psychopathological variables in order to identify those at higher risk of self-stigmatization.Material and Methods: Overall, 133 participants with mild to moderate posttraumatic stress symptoms were recruited in the metropolitan areas of Leipzig, Dresden and Halle, Germany, using a multimodal approach. Mental health self-stigma was assessed using the Self-Stigma of Mental Illness Scale – Short Form (SSMIS-SF), consisting of four subscales (Stereotype awareness, Stereotype agreement, Application to self , Harm to self-esteem), each scoring from 5 (low) to 45 (high) points. Linear regression analysis was used to test associations of sociodemographic and psychopathological variables with self-stigma subscales.Results: On average, self-stigma ratings ranged from 16.5 (SD = 6.6) points on Application to self to 28.3 (SD = 7.5) points on Stereotype awareness. Results showed higher scores on Application to self for individuals who were younger (t = 2.65, p = 0.009) and single (F = 5.70, p = 0.004). Regression analyses yielded statistically significant associations between having multiple comorbidities and a higher Application to self stigma (β = 0.18, p = 0.044), controlling for sociodemographic covariates.Discussion: Mental health self-stigma was increased among Syrian refugees in Germany. Correlates of increased self-stigma could inform efforts to improve access to mental health care among Syrian refugees with mental ill-health. Longitudinal studies following an intersectional approach by concurrently examining multiple forms of public and internalized stigma could provide helpful insights for developing tailored stigma reduction efforts in this context.

Mental Health, Social Support, and Active Coping in Nepali Earthquake Survivors

2021 ◽  
pp. 000276422110134
Author(s):  
Claire Luce ◽  
Tara Leytham Powell ◽  
Youngmi Kim
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Perceived Social Support ◽  
Active Coping ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
Earthquake Survivors ◽  
The Relationship

Research has shown a positive relationship between exposure to natural disasters and common disaster-related mental health disorders. However, much more can be done to fully examine how protective factors such as perceived social support or active coping strategies are related to mental health in the context of natural disasters. This study seeks to examine the relationship between mental disorders and active coping. The article also explores analyzes the moderating effect of perceived social support on mental health. Data were collected in August 2016 as part of a longitudinal study on a mental health and psychosocial intervention in postearthquake Nepal ( n = 660). Our independent variables in this study were anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress symptoms. The dependent variable was active coping. Perceived social support was tested as a potential moderating variable. Ordinary least squares regression analyses were run to examine the relationships between the three mental disorders and active coping. We also tested the moderating effect of perceived social support on the relationships between the three mental disorders and active coping. Ordinary least square analyses found a statistically significant negative relationship between active coping and anxiety (B = −0.137, p < .001), depression (B = −0.116, p < .001), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (B = −0.065, p = .337), controlling for other factors. Perceived social support significantly moderated the associations between active coping and each mental disorder: anxiety (B = 0.012, p < .05), depression (B = 0.017, p < .05), and posttraumatic stress symptoms (B = 0.064, p < .05). Our findings suggest that perceived social support moderates the relationship between common mental disorders and active coping in Nepali earthquake survivors.

Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Victims of the Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack: Twenty Years Later

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 794-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shin Nakamine ◽  
Maiko Kobayashi ◽  
Hiroyuki Fujita ◽  
Sachiko Takahashi ◽  
Yutaka Matsui
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Comparison Group ◽  
Terrorist Attack ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Secondary Victimization ◽  
Stress Symptoms

Introduction: Previous studies found that about 10–30% of terrorist attack survivors suffer mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which persist up to 10 years. However, little is known about whether the effects of terrorism on mental health could last for a longer period or whether physical symptoms and secondary victimization are associated with the persistence of mental disorders. Method: A questionnaire survey was conducted with the victims of the Tokyo subway sarin attack in March 1995 (N = 299). Victims’ physical and ophthalmic symptoms, secondary victimization, and posttraumatic stress symptoms were surveyed. For comparison, those who have experienced a stressful event were surveyed with the same instruments as of victims’ survey except secondary victimization. Results: Results indicated that 21.3% of the male and 36.1% of the female victims were in the high-risk group for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), which did not differ from those of the comparison group. However, victims had physical and ophthalmic symptoms of greater severity than the comparison group. Moreover, we found that PTSS was strongly associated with physical symptoms and secondary victimization. Discussion: There is a need to develop a support system that would be helpful in reducing mental health suffering of terrorist victims. Providing regular physical checkups and building support for those who experience life changes caused by victimization are suggested.

scholarly journals The relationship between social support and posttraumatic stress symptoms among youth exposed to a natural disaster

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (sup2) ◽  
pp. 1450042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Betty S. Lai ◽  
Melissa C. Osborne ◽  
Jennifer Piscitello ◽  
Shannon Self-Brown ◽  
Mary Lou Kelley
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Natural Disaster ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms ◽  
Stress Symptoms ◽  
The Relationship
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