Evaluation of Social Acknowledgment and Mental Health Among Kurdish Survivors of Genocide in 1988

Neldner, Sina; Noori, Razaw; Mahmood, Harem Nareeman; Neuner, Frank; Ibrahim, Hawkar

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28793

JAMA Netw Open

2023

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28793

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Evaluation of Social Acknowledgment and Mental Health Among Kurdish Survivors of Genocide in 1988

Sina Neldner,

Razaw Noori,

Harem Nareeman Mahmood

et al.

Abstract: This cross-sectional study assesses whether higher levels of trauma were associated with less perceived social acknowledgment and higher psychopathology among Kurdish survivors of a chemical attack that took place in 1988.

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2024

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Cited by 2 publications

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Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors

Mahmood,

Ahmed,

Neldner

et al. 2024

Curr Psychol

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The Anfal genocide, including the infamous Halabja chemical attack, has imprinted deep scars on the Kurdish community in Iraq that lasted for decades. Despite significant historical documentation, the enduring psychological impact on survivors is less examined. This systematic review synthesizes existing research to address this gap. Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, this review systematically searched databases for scholarly articles examining the mental health of Kurdish survivors following the 1988 Anfal genocide, with a focus on PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Of the initial 201 articles identified, seven met the inclusion criteria. These studies were subjected to a thorough data extraction and qualitative synthesis, and their quality was appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The selected studies encompassed a combined sample of 760 participants, ranging in age from 7 to 92 years. The findings revealed high prevalence rates of PTSD, particularly in children, with a prevalence rate of 87%. In adults, PTSD and depression prevalence rates in unselected samples were estimated at 86.2% and 49%, respectively. Qualitative findings from survivors reveal a complex interplay of depression, intrusive memories, and societal isolation, compounded by poverty and discrimination, with health concerns like respiratory and ocular problems further exacerbating psychological distress. However, non-representative samples and absence of control groups limit result generalization. The literature reviewed indicates substantial psychological distress among the Anfal genocide survivors, underscoring an urgent need for targeted mental health interventions. Future research needs representative samples and validated tools for precise prevalence assessment and comprehensive impact understanding.

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Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors

Mahmood,

Ahmed,

Neldner

et al. 2024

Curr Psychol

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Continuous chains: childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization among displaced women in a war context

Ibrahim,

Goessmann,

Neuner

et al. 2024

BMC Women's Health

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Background Childhood victimization has been associated with long-term psychological effects and an increased risk of being victimized in later life. Previous research has primarily focused on sexual abuse during childhood, and a wide range of consequences have been identified. However, a significant gap remains in our understanding of the complex interaction between different forms of childhood abuse and violence in later life, particularly in the context of broader social stressors such as armed conflict and displacement. Methods This study examines the association between exposure to different types of childhood maltreatment in the context of family and intimate partner violence (IPV) among displaced women living in refugee camps in northern Iraq. Structured interviews were conducted by trained female psychologists with 332 women aged between 20 and 62 years. Results Results indicated that over one-third of the participating women reported experiencing at least one occurrence of IPV by their husbands within the past year. In addition, participants reported experiences of different types of maltreatment (physical, emotional, and sexual violence and physical and emotional neglect) perpetrated by family members in their childhood. While all forms of childhood maltreatment showed an association with IPV within the past year, only emotional childhood maltreatment was found to be a significant predictor of IPV in a multivariate analysis. Conclusion The study highlights the ongoing impact of child maltreatment and its contribution to increased vulnerability to IPV victimization in later life. In addition, this study describes the specific cultural and contextual elements that contribute to IPV in refugee camps.

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Evaluation of Social Acknowledgment and Mental Health Among Kurdish Survivors of Genocide in 1988

Abstract: This cross-sectional study assesses whether higher levels of trauma were associated with less perceived social acknowledgment and higher psychopathology among Kurdish survivors of a chemical attack that took place in 1988.

Cited by 2 publications

References 7 publications

Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors

Psychological scars of genocide: a systematic review of post-traumatic outcomes in Kurdish Anfal survivors

Continuous chains: childhood maltreatment and intimate partner violence victimization among displaced women in a war context

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