The prevalence of mental disorders among intimate partner violence exposed and non-exposed Rwandans: findings from a national cross-sectional survey

Despite mounting evidence indicating an increased risk of long-term mental disorders in Rwanda's general population, little is still known about the national prevalence of mental disorders among victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a post-conflict setting. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of mental disorders among IPV exposed and non-exposed individuals in Rwanda. This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the 2018 Rwanda Mental Health Survey. The sample consisted 20,381 participants selected nationwide, from 7,124 households (age range: 14-65 years), of which 3,759 Rwandans were exposed to IPV (18.4%) and 16,622 were non-exposed to IPV (81.6%). Participants were screened for IPV exposure and common mental disorders, and data was analyzed using the SPSS version 25 software. The results showed that the rate of any mental disorder was substantially higher in the group exposed to IPV than the non-exposed, at 32.4% and 11.7% respectively. These results highlight that among Rwandans diagnosed with severe mental disorders, participants with a history of IPV exposure present with increased odds of mental disorders prevalence and severity. Therefore, people seeking mental health care should also be screened for their IPV exposure and offered appropriate interventions

Psychometric properties and longitudinal validation of the self-reporting questionnaire (SRQ-20) in a Rwandan community setting: a validation study

Background: This study took place to enable the measurement of the effects on mental health of a psychosocial intervention in Rwanda. It aimed to establish the capacities of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) to screen for mental disorder and to assess symptom change over time in a Rwandan community setting. Methods. The SRQ-20 was translated into Kinyarwanda in a process of forward and back-translation. SRQ-20 data were collected in a Rwandan setting on 418 respondents; a random subsample of 230 respondents was assessed a second time with a three month time interval. Internal reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha. The optimal cut-off point was determined by calculating Receiver Operating Curves, using semi-structured clinical interviews as standard in a random subsample of 99 respondents. Subsequently, predictive value, likelihood ratio, and interrater agreement were calculated. The factor structure of the SRQ-20 was determined through exploratory factor analysis. Factorial invariance over time was tested in a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The reliability of the SRQ-20 in women ( = 0.85) and men ( = 0.81) could be considered good. The instrument performed moderately well in detecting common mental disorders, with an area

Parental Burnout Around the Globe: a 42-Country Study

High levels of stress in the parenting domain can lead to parental burnout, a condition that has severe consequences for both parents and children. It is not yet clear, however, whether parental burnout varies by culture, and if so, why it might do so. In this study, we examined the prevalence of parental burnout in 42 countries (17,409 parents; 71% mothers; M_{age} = 39.20) and showed that the prevalence of parental burnout varies dramatically across countries. Analyses of cultural values revealed that individualistic cultures, in particular, displayed a noticeably higher prevalence and mean level of parental burnout. Indeed, individualism plays a larger role in parental burnout than either economic inequalities across countries, or any other individual and family characteristic examined so far, including the number and age of children and the number of hours spent with them. These results suggest that cultural values in Western countries may put parents under heightened levels of stress

Perceptions of the Intervention Utility and Effectiveness in Supporting and Reintegrating Youths Born of Genocidal Rape in Rwanda

Fortunée Nyirandamutsa,1 Japhet Niyonsenga,1,2 Kethina Lisette Gaju,3 Josias Izabayo,4 Emilienne Kambibi,5 Samuel Munderere,5 Célestin Sebuhoro,1 Assumpta Muhayisa,1 Vincent Sezibera1,4 1Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; 2Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Parma, Parma, Italy; 3Global Mental Health MSc Program, King’s College London and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK; 4Centre for Mental Health, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda; 5Department of Mental Health, Survivors Fund Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaCorrespondence: Fortunée Nyirandamutsa; Japhet Niyonsenga, Tel +250784010477, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Birth through genocidal rape has a detrimental impact on the health of the offspring; however, there is scarce literature that focuses on efforts to support and reintegrate people born of this crime due to the lack of needs assessments that can inform policies and interventions.Objective: This study sought to explore perceptions of the intervention utility and effectiveness in supporting and reintegrating offspring born of the 1994 genocidal rape against the Tutsi in Rwanda.Methods: A purposive sample of 16 dyads of non-partnered mothers raped in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and their offspring participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews. The transcribed interview verbatims were uploaded to NVivo 12 and analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.Results: The analysis resulted in several subthemes that were grouped into four main themes based on research questions. These themes included the reconstruction of a positive image (ie, hardworking, contribution to the community, supporting vulnerable people, etc.), the benefits of collaborating with peers in a similar situation (ie, a sense of belonging, self-acceptance, relieving distress and emotional pain, etc.), the support obtained from Survivors Fund Rwanda (ie, psychosocial support, financial support for school fees, support to get a job), and the intervention and strategies needed (ie, continuous psychosocial support, catch-up learning programs, accompaniment support, advocacy to get a job, supporting the parents, etc.).Conclusion: Our results highlight how the youth born of genocidal rape are reconstructing a positive image and self-advocacy, their perception of obtained support, and the recommended intervention. These findings will help in initiating or strengthening interventions targeting this population, especially strategies to support and reintegrate them.Plain language summary: The current study was conducted to explore the perceptions of intervention utility and effectiveness in supporting and reintegrating offspring born of the 1994 genocidal rape against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which can inform policies and interventions. To achieve this, a purposive sample of 16 dyads of non-partnered mothers raped in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and their offspring were selected to participate in semi-structured qualitative interviews. Our analysis resulted in several subthemes that were grouped into four main themes based on research questions. These themes that emerged included the reconstruction of a positive image and self-advocacy, the benefits of collaborating with peers in a similar situation, the support obtained, and the intervention and strategies needed. These findings will help in initiating or strengthening interventions targeting people born of genocidal rape, especially strategies to support and reintegrate them.Keywords: genocidal rape, born of genocidal rape, needs assessment, intervention utilities, Rwanda, adolescen

Frequency and Correlates of Anxiety Symptoms during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Multinational Study

International audienceObjective: Studies have documented the significant direct and indirect psychological, social, and economic consequences of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in many countries but little is known on its impact in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) already facing difficult living conditions and having vulnerable health systems that create anxiety among the affected populations. Using a multinational convenience sample from four LMICs (DR Congo, Haiti, Rwanda, and Togo), this study aims to explore the prevalence of anxiety symptoms and associated risk and protective factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 1267 individuals (40.8% of women) completed a questionnaire assessing exposure and stigmatization related to COVID-19, anxiety, and resilience. Analyses were performed to examine the prevalence and predictors of anxiety. Results: Findings showed a pooled prevalence of 24.3% (9.4%, 29.2%, 28.5%, and 16.5% respectively for Togo, Haiti, RDC, and Rwanda, x2 = 32.6, p <.0001). For the pooled data, exposure to COVID-19 (β = 0.06, p =.005), stigmatization related to COVID-19 (β = 0.03, p <.001), and resilience (β = -0.06, p <.001) contributed to the prediction of anxiety scores. Stigmatization related to COVID-19 was significantly associated to anxiety symptoms in all countries (β = 0.02, p <.00; β = 0.05, p =.013; β = 0.03, p =.021; β = 0.04, p <.001, respectively for the RDC, Rwanda, Haiti, and Togo). Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for health education programs in LMICs to decrease stigmatization and the related fears and anxieties, and increase observance of health instructions. Strength-based mental health programs based on cultural and contextual factors need to be developed to reinforce both individual and community resilience and to address the complexities of local eco-systems. \textcopyright 2020 Elsevier Lt

Parental Burnout Around the Globe : a 42-Country Study.

High levels of stress in the parenting domain can lead to parental burnout, a condition that has severe consequences for both parents and children. It is not yet clear, however, whether parental burnout varies by culture, and if so, why it might do so. In this study, we examined the prevalence of parental burnout in 42 countries (17,409 parents; 71% mothers; Mage = 39.20) and showed that the prevalence of parental burnout varies dramatically across countries. Analyses of cultural values revealed that individualistic cultures, in particular, displayed a noticeably higher prevalence and mean level of parental burnout. Indeed, individualism plays a larger role in parental burnout than either economic inequalities across countries, or any other individual and family characteristic examined so far, including the number and age of children and the number of hours spent with them. These results suggest that cultural values in Western countries may put parents under heightened levels of stress. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42761-020-00028-4