605 research outputs found

    \u27Means of Survival\u27 as Moderator of the Relationship between Cumulative Torture Experiences and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder among Refugees

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    Refugee torture survivors often present with a myriad of psychological challenges, such as posttraumatic stress and depression, stemming from their exposure to torture and other pre- and post-settlement experiences (Gong-Guy and colleagues, 1991). The present study examined the moderating effect of four coping processes (i.e., family support, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and will to survive) on the relationship between cumulative torture and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among a sample of 204 (N=204) adult refugee torture survivors. Subjects completed a demographic questionnaire, the Torture Severity Scale (TSS; Kira, Lewandowski, Templin, Ramaswamy, Ozkan, Hammad, & Mohanesh, 2006), the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-2; Weathers, Keane, & Davidson, 2001), and the Means of Survival Scale (MOS; Kira, 2012). Twenty-three percent (N = 74) of the sample endorsed clinically significant levels of PTSD. Torture and PTSD were positively associated, indicating that greater exposure to cumulative torture is associated with greater trauma symptoms (r[2] = .18, pppppp2 = .039; F (2,323) = 7.55, p=.001. None of the interaction terms examined accounted for significant variation in PTSD symptoms. Study findings will help counseling psychologists devise the most appropriate treatment plans and strategies to treat posttraumatic stress reactions among refugee torture survivors, as well as inform future interventions developed for this vulnerable population

    Acute short-term multimodal treatment for newly arrived traumatized refugees: Reflections on the practical experience and evaluation

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    Background:A short-term multimodal acute treatment program of approximately six months' duration for newly arrived refugees at Center ÜBERLEBEN (Berlin Center for Torture Victims) was developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate this program by examining changes in PTSD, anxiety and depression symptom severity after treatment, and to reflect on practical experiences in carrying out the program. Methods:At the beginning (T1) and following completion of the short term treatment program (T2) patients in a single-group design were assessed with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for PTSD and the Hopkins-Symptom Checklist for depression and anxiety (per-protocol analysis). Results:Of the 92 patients who completed T1, 44 completed T2 assessments. Medium to large effect sizes were found for reductions in overall PTSD (d = 0.88), depression (d = 0.83), and anxiety symptoms (d = 0.67). While at the beginning of treatment (T1) 97.7% (n = 43) fulfilled diagnostic criteria for both PTSD and depression, and 95.5% (n=42) for anxiety, at T2, 70.5% (n = 31) fulfilled the criteria for clinically relevant PTSD, 79.5% (n = 35) for depression and 70.5% (n = 31) for anxiety. Discussion:Despite the high symptom load at the beginning of treatment, uncertainties regarding residence status, and the unstable living conditions, patients seem to benefit from the multidisciplinary short term treatment. This study adds preliminary evidence to the efficacy of multimodal treatment and suggests that improvements in symptom severity can be achieved within the often extremely stressful period after arrival

    A deep wound under my heart”: Constructions of complex trauma and implications for women’s wellbeing and safety from violence

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    This project sought to develop a comprehensive picture of how complex trauma is being constructed in public policy and practice, and how it is viewed by women with experiences of complex trauma. The research took the form of a multi-method study that combined policy and service analysis with qualitative research with women with experiences of complex trauma and the professionals who work with them, via: a policy audit of approaches to complex trauma service documentary analysis and qualitative interviews with professionals in Queensland and New South Wales qualitative interviews with women with experiences of complex trauma in Queensland and New South Wales online workshops in which professional stakeholders and women with experiences of complex trauma provided feedback on the findings of the study. The research found that at the policy level, complex trauma overlaps with frameworks on violence against women and mental health. However, the impact of complex trauma is not comprehensively addressed by these frameworks, which contributes to the fragmented response to women in distress. It demonstrated that there is a strong need for a whole-of-government commitment to the implementation and coordination of trauma-informed practice across sectors. The report includes recommendations for policy and practice

    Prevalence of and risk factors for mental disorders in refugees.

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    Given the increasing numbers of refugees worldwide, the prevalence of their mental disorders is relevant for public health. Prevalence studies show that, in the first years of resettlement, only post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates are clearly higher in refugees than in host countries' populations. Five years after resettlement rates of depressive and anxiety disorders are also increased. Exposure to traumatic events before or during migration may explain high rates of PTSD. Evidence suggests that poor social integration and difficulties in accessing care contribute to higher rates of mental disorders in the long-term. Policy and research implications are discussed

    Post-traumatic stress disorder interventions for children and adolescents affected by war in low- and middle-income countries in the Middle East: systematic review

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    Background Millions of children and adolescents are exposed to wars, affecting their psychological well-being. This review focuses on psychosocial interventions in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the Middle East, where mental health services are limited. Aims Our primary aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of trial-assessed psychosocial interventions in reducing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and adolescents aged ≀18 years who were exposed to war in LMICs in the Middle East. Changes in other psychological conditions and symptoms were evaluated where reported. Method PubMed, Cochrane Library and Ovid were searched without year restriction, in December 2021. Previous review reference lists were also checked. Only studies published in English were included. Each study was evaluated for risk of bias and results are presented as a narrative synthesis. Results Three group-based interventions were identified and evaluated across six studies: ‘Teaching Recovery Techniques’, ‘Writing for Recovery’ and ‘Advancing Adolescents’. Two studies took place in post-war settings, and four in a context of ongoing conflict. Positive experiences and improved social skills were indicated following most interventions, but Teaching Recovery Techniques was the only programme associated with a statistically significant reduction in PTSD score. Differences in follow-up interval limited comparability of outcomes. Conclusions This review highlights a paucity of evidence for effective treatment options for children and adolescents affected by war from LMICs in the Middle East. Promising indications of reductions in PTSD symptoms, specifically from Teaching Recovery Techniques, require further rigorous evaluation and long-term follow-up

    Post-migration stressors and their association with symptom reduction and non-completion during treatment for traumatic grief in refugees

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    Background: Resettled refugees exposed to trauma and loss are at risk to develop mental disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and persistent complex bereavement disorder (PCBD). Post-migration stressors have been linked to poor mental health and smaller treatment effects. Aim: Our aim was to evaluate reductions in PTSD and PCBD symptoms and to explore the presence of post-migration stressors and their associations with symptom change and non-completion in a traumatic grief focused treatment in a cohort of refugees. Methods: Paired sample t-tests were used to test the significance of the symptom reductions in PTSD and PCBD symptoms during treatment. The presence of post-migration stressors was derived from a qualitative analysis of the patient files. Associations between post-migration stressors and symptom reductions as well as non-completion were calculated. Results: In this uncontrolled study, 81 files of consecutive patients were included. Significant reductions in both PCBD and PTSD symptomatology with medium effect sizes were found. Patients experienced a mean of three different post-migration stressors during the treatment. Undocumented asylum seekers were more likely to be non-completers. Ongoing conflict in the country of origin was associated with smaller PTSD symptom reductions and the total number of post-migration stressors was associated with smaller PCBD symptom reductions. Conclusions: Treatment for resettled refugees for traumatic grief coincides with alleviations in both PCBD and PTSD symptomatology. Specific post-migration stressors were associated with reduced treatment effects and increased non-completion. This is a first step towards well-informed improvements of mental health interventions for resettled refugees

    War in the nursery: The impact of transgenerational trauma on refugee infant development

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    Parental trauma symptomatology can profoundly impact a child’s social/emotional and cognitive development, a phenomenon known as transgenerational trauma. Thus far, the majority of research examining transgenerational trauma has studied the concept within mothers from Westernized cultures and their children and adolescents. Very little attention has been given to families from diverse sociocultural contexts, and few studies have examined the effects of transgenerational trauma in infancy, a period of time marked by numerous developmental considerations. The current study addresses the limitations of past work by examining transgenerational trauma in refugee/infant dyads. Building upon existing models from previous studies, this research utilizes moderated mediation models to examine (1) the relation between maternal trauma symptomatology and atypical parenting behavior in predicting infant development, (2) the mediating role of atypical parenting behavior in the relation between maternal trauma symptomatology and infant development, and (3) the role of parental resiliency in mitigating the relation between maternal trauma symptomatology and atypical parenting behaviors. Data was collected from 61 refugee mother/infant dyads. Measures included culturally informed assessment of maternal trauma symptomatology, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, psychological flexibility, observational coding of atypical parenting behaviors, and standardized assessment of infant cognitive and social/emotional development. Findings did not provide support for the hypothesized model of transgenerational trauma. Post-hoc analyses indicated that greater maternal trauma symptomatology is related to increased negative/intrusive parenting behavior, and increased maternal psychological flexibility is related to improved infant cognitive development. Implications for study findings are reviewed and directions for future research are delineated

    A Systematic Review of Psychological Group Interventions for Adults with Refugee Backgrounds in Resettlement Countries: Development of a Stepped Care Approach to Mental Health Treatment

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    This item is only available electronically.The number of refugees globally has increased and due to exposure to trauma and postmigration stressors, many are in need of appropriate mental health care. Objective: While previous systematic reviews have focused on individual interventions for refugees, the current study aims to contribute to the literature by systematically reviewing the effectiveness of group and community-based interventions, to provide insight into ways current treatments can be scaled and integrated into stepped-care interventions. Method: A systematic review was conducted. In November 2020, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Embase and CINAHL were systematically searched and findings were analysed using narrative thematic analysis. Results: Four key themes were identified in the literature including: a) the benefits and challenges of group-based interventions b) effectiveness of group-based interventions and c) how to implement group-based treatments effectively when working with refugees. Conclusion: In general, while groups were not typically seen as a replacement for individual therapy, the included studies suggested the complementary value of group modalities, as well as their effectiveness as an early access intervention. Ultimately, the existing body of research concerning group interventions indicates that treatments delivered in a group format have utility and scalability and should be considered for integration into stepped models of care for people with refugee backgrounds.Thesis (M.Psych(Clinical)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 202

    The relationship between receiving an HIV test result and the traumatic stress symptoms of rape survivors

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    Rape survivors often have two traumatic events to deal with. In addition to the actual rape experience, survivors commonly need to deal with hearing the results of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing (which is standard practice after rape in South Africa). The relationship between these two traumatic events in terms of the survivors specific traumatic stress symptoms have not been well explored in the literature. The primary aim of this study was therefore an exploration of the relationship between receiving an HIV test result and the traumatic stress symptoms of rape survivors. In order to contextualise the main aim, an exploration of the relationship between demographic variables, knowledge of HIV status and early traumatic stress symptoms was also completed. The initial sample consisted of 97 South African rape survivors, however, only 45 participants returned for the second part of the study. This quantitative study utilised an exploratory descriptive design using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-Revised (HTQ-R) to measure the traumatic stress symptoms of rape survivors. The results of the first part of the study indicated that there was no significant difference between participants’ demographic factors in relation to their knowledge of HIV status or their overall traumatic stress symptom severity. Significant differences on individual traumatic stress symptoms indicated a relationship between not knowing one’s HIV status and dissociation after a rape incident, as well as a relationship between rape survivors who knew their HIV status is positive and emotional dysregulation. The results of the second part (and main analysis) of the study indicated that most participants presented with less severe overall traumatic stress severity after receiving their HIV test results (irrespective of their status before and after hearing their results). However, participants whose HIV status was unknown and who received a positive test result reported more severe overall traumatic stress compared to those whose HIV status was unknown and received a negative test result. Some inter-group differences on individual symptoms were HIV TEST RESULT TRAUMATIC STRESS RAPE SURVIVORS noted that highlight the possibility that dissociative and an intrusion/hyperarousal subtypes may be at work to explain some of the differences seen

    12th European Conference on Traumatic Stress : human rights & psychotraumatology ; Vienna, Austria June 2-5, 2011 ; book of abstracts

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    CONTENTS: Keynote Address and Invited Plenary Lectures Symposia Debates and Panels Oral Presentations and Specific Topics Poster Presentations Workshop Presentations Case Study Presentations and Media Presentations Symposien Workshop
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