Longitudinal Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Resettlement Among Yazidi Female Refugees Exposed to Violence

Abstract

Key Points Question How does posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) change during a 1-year period in female refugees who survived mass atrocities, and what factors are associated with PTSD course? Findings This cohort study with 116 female refugee survivors of captivity and genocide found high PTSD severity 2 years after resettlement in Germany with no significant change 1 year later. Factors associated with severe PTSD were earlier symptoms of intrusions and longer time spent in traumatic situations, whereas strengthening in faith and social relationships were associated with symptom relief over time. Meaning This study suggests that female refugee survivors of genocide and captivity are at high risk for severe and chronic PTSD beyond the initial years of resettlement.

Addressing barriers to mental health services: evaluation of a psychoeducational short film for forcibly displaced people

“…With the aim of informing people about PTSD, coping strategies, and offers of professional help, the research team developed a film script in German based on previous research in the field (e.g. Denkinger et al, 2021 ). To receive feedback on the first version of the script, an expert focus group session was conducted in September 2017 with three experts working with forcibly displaced people in the psychosocial and psychotherapeutic settings of refugio stuttgart e.v.…”

“…Research shows a high prevalence of mental illnesses following flight experiences (Blackmore et al, 2020 ). In the context of record high forced displacement, the prevalence of 31.5% for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Blackmore et al, 2020 ), with a high risk of chronicity (Blackmore et al, 2020 ; Denkinger et al, 2021 ), is especially alarming. There is meta-analytic evidence that psychosocial interventions for PTSD are effective in reducing PTSD symptoms among forcibly displaced people (Gwozdziewycz & Mehl-Madrona, 2013 ; Kip, Priebe, Holling, & Morina, 2020 ; Nosè et al, 2017 ).…”

Assessing the Extent of Post-traumatic-stress Disorder from Kidnapping Experience of 5 Victims and their Significant others in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna State, Nigeria

“…Cultural attributes may thus have an impact on the psychological orientation of victims of kidnap and hence influence ability to adapt and cope with life's events. Study on 116 Yazidi women with average age of 32.2 years who were exposed to violence revealed the women suffered from Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder years after leaving captivity and those in longer captivity read higher PTSD scale (Denkinger et al, 2021).…”

Creating Safety—The Importance of Providing Psychosocial Support for Refugee Children and Adolescents After Resettlement

“…The highest prevalence rates in young refugees resettled to Europe are found for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 19.0%-52.7%), depression (10.3%-32.8%), anxiety disorders (8.7%-31.6%), and emotional and behavioral problems (19.8%-35.0%) . This finding is especially relevant because posttraumatic psychopathology shows high continuity in the resettlement environment …”