Refugees who settle in Western countries exhibit a high rate of mental health issues, which are often related to experiences throughout the pre-displacement, displacement, and post-displacement processes. Early detection of mental health symptoms could increase positive outcomes in this vulnerable population. The rates and predictors of positive screenings for mental health symptoms were examined among a large sample of refugees, individuals with special immigrant visas, and parolees/entrants (N = 8149) from diverse nationalities. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine if demographic factors and witnessing/experiencing violence predicted positive screenings. On a smaller subset of the sample, we calculated referral acceptance rate by country of origin. Refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan were most likely to exhibit a positive screening for mental health symptoms. Refugees from Sudan, Iraq, and Syria reported the highest rate of experiencing violence, whereas those from Iraq, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo reported the highest rate of witnessing violence. Both witnessing and experiencing violence predicted positive Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15) scores. Further, higher age and female gender predicted positive RHS-15 scores, though neither demographic variable was correlated with accepting a referral for mental health services. The findings from this study can help to identify characteristics that may be associated with risk for mental health symptoms among a refugee population.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) includes many symptom presentations, which creates unique diagnostic challenges. Fears surrounding one's sexual orientation are common within OCD (also called SO-OCD), but SO-OCD is consistently misdiagnosed by physicians and psychologists. To address this issue, we describe the development of a self-report measure for assessing SO-OCD to help distinguish OCD from distress caused by a sexual orientation identity crisis. The current paper details two studies that established the psychometric properties and clinical utility of this measure. In Study 1, the factor structure, validity, and reliability were examined for the measure's 12 items in a sample of 1,673 university students. The results revealed a two-factor solution for the measure (Factor 1: Transformation Fears; Factor 2: Somatic Checking) and preliminary evidence of validity and reliability. In Study 2, the measure was tested with LGBTQ and heterosexual community samples and clinical samples of individuals with SO-OCD and other types of OCD. The two-factor solution and evidence of validity and reliability were supported in these samples. Cut-off points were established to distinguish between community members and SO-OCD sufferers, as well as between those experiencing SO-OCD and other types of OCD. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

The Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS-15) is widely used in refugee populations, but the psychometric properties and clinical utility have not been evaluated in Cuban refugees and entrants. The current study explored results from the Spanish version of the RHS-15 in a sample of 53 Cuban entrants and refugees, and of these, 17.6% screened positive for a mental health concern. Analyses suggested that a positive screening was significantly related to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder; however, it was not associated with demographic variables such as gender, mode of transport, or the number of countries through which a refugee traveled before arriving in the United States. A factor analysis of the measure revealed a 4-factor solution is most appropriate when used with Cuban individuals. Results provide preliminary evidence regarding the measure's psychometric properties, and demonstrate that the Spanish version of the RHS-15 is an appropriate screening tool for the mental health of newly arrived Cuban entrants and refugees. Future studies should further validate the Spanish version RHS-15 in Cuban entrants and refugees, and explore its efficacy amongst Latino refugees of other nationalities.

No abstract

No abstract

Objective Hispanic youth in the general community experience traumatic events and display symptoms of psychological distress more frequently than Caucasian youth. However, little is known about how traumatic experiences in this ethnic minority population relate to psychopathology in clinical samples and whether these outcomes vary by gender and are impacted by family functioning. We hypothesized that traumatic stress reactions, including PTSD, internalizing and externalizing symptoms would vary by gender and by family functioning in a clinical sample of Hispanic youth. Method The current study utilized baseline data from a RCT involving 200 Hispanic adolescents (122 boys and 78 girls) referred to treatment for experiencing clinical symptoms of one or more behavioral disorders and conflictual family relations. The rate of traumatic events, differences in outcomes depending on trauma exposure, and the effects gender, family functioning, and trauma on psychopathology and PTSD symptoms were examined. Results Analyses revealed that 61% of Hispanic youth in this clinical sample experienced at least one traumatic event. Although only 12% of the sample reported PTSD scores in the clinical range, girls reported higher PTSD scores than boys. Poor family cohesion was particularly detrimental to girls compared to boys and related to internalizing and PTSD symptoms. High family conflict predicted PTSD symptoms in boys but not in girls. Conclusions These findings have clinical implications for working with Hispanic populations, suggesting that culturally sensitive interventions should incorporate family-based interventions for individuals who experience trauma to strengthen family bonds and decrease family conflict.

At least 1 in 4 men are sexually abused or assaulted across their lifetime. Although many have significant negative mental health (MH) difficulties, relatively few seek formal MH treatment. This study sought to understand current engagement in and perceived helpfulness of MH treatment in male survivors. Eighty-eight men completed an online survey via a nonprofit organization's website dedicated to providing support to male survivors. Men who reported that they received MH treatment in the past 90 days endorsed significantly higher adverse childhood experiences, as well as depressive and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, compared with those who had not. Male survivors identified peer support, individual therapy and validation, and specific interventions as most helpful aspects of treatment. The least helpful aspects were therapists' lack of knowledgeable about male sexual abuse, unhelpful or shaming responses, and avoidance of traumatic material, as well as financial and insurance constraints. Implications for fostering a more supportive, destigmatizing therapeutic environment for male survivors are discussed. Public Significance StatementHigher depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and adverse childhood experiences were associated with recent mental health (MH) treatment for male survivors of sexual assault. Survivors noted that the most helpful aspect of MH treatment was peer-based support. Screening men for traumatic exposure, including sexual violence, and depression may help to identify men in need of support. The availability of peer-based groups may help male survivors engage in formal MH treatment.

Grit is associated with positive outcomes in nonclinical samples. However, no studies have examined grit in relation to psychopathology in patients with clinical mood or anxiety disorders. Research and clinical experience suggest that individuals who hoard struggle with characteristics associated with grit, such as task persistence, impulsivity, and self-control. The authors tested the hypothesis that hoarding symptoms are associated with less grit in a sample of individuals (N = 72) presenting for treatment to an anxiety disorders clinic. After covarying symptoms of the four mood and anxiety disorders most commonly comorbid with hoarding disorder (viz. depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder), the authors found that hoarding symptoms were associated with less grit, and the effects were medium-to-large. These results indicate that grit is worthy of investigation in individuals with hoarding disorder using methodologies that permit inferences about causality, and with attention to clinical implications for prevention or treatment.