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Psychological sequelae of torture and organised violence suffered by refugees from Iraq

Trauma-related factors compared with social factors in exile

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Caroline Gorst-Unsworth  and
Eva Goldenberg
Caroline Gorst-Unsworth*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Greenwich District Hospital, Vanbrugh Hill, London
Eva Goldenberg
Affiliation:
Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture, London
*
Dr C. Gorst-Unsworth, GB2 ward, Greenwich District Hospital, Vanbrugh Hill, London SE10 9HE
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Abstract

Background

Refugees who have suffered traumatic events present complex therapeutic challenges to health professionals. There is little research into post-exile factors that may be amenable to change, and therefore reduce morbidity. We examined the importance of social factors in exile and of trauma factors in producing the different elements of psychological sequelae of severe trauma.

Method

Eighty-four male Iraqi refugees were interviewed. Adverse events and level of social support were measured. Various measures of psychological morbidity were applied, all of which have been used in previous trauma research.

Results

Social factors in exile, particularly the level of ‘affective’ social support, proved important in determining the severity of both post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive reactions, particularly when combined with a severe level of trauma/torture. Poor social support is a stronger predictor of depressive morbidity than trauma factors.

Conclusions

Some of the most important factors in producing psychological morbidity in refugees may be alleviated by planned, integrated rehabilitation programmes and attention to social support and family reunion.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue 1 , January 1998 , pp. 90 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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