Psychological Status of Former Refugee Detainees From the Woomera Detention Centre Now Living in the Australian Community

Sobhanian, F; Boyle, Gregory J.; Bahr, Mark; Fallo, T

doi:10.1375/pplt.13.2.151

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Three studies measured the quality of life of detainees and uniformly reported low quality of life ratings, particularly across psychological domains [ 40 , 42 , 46 ]. One of these studies found that levels of quality of life were mediated by the level of perceived support and satisfaction with the care received from detention staff [ 46 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Six psychological questions Authorised telephone interpreters (used by 77 participants) Robjant et al [ 11 ] Cross-sectional, comparison survey N = 67 detained asylum seekers, N = 30 detained former prisoners, N = 49 asylum seekers living in the community Detention Duration: unknown Unknown UK PTSD, depression, anxiety HADS, IES-R, PDS English Rojas-Flores [ 57 ] Cross sectional comparison survey N = 39 children of detained or deported parents N = 42 unauthorised no history of detention or deportation N = 16 Legal permanent resident Detention Duration: unknown Mexico or Central America US PTSD, depression, behavioural difficulties, daily functioning UCLA PTSD-RI, CES-DSC, BASC-2 PRS-C, TSCYC-SP, BASC-2 TRS-C, CAFAS Rothe et al (2002a) Cross sectional survey N = 74 adolescents Detention Duration: 4-6 months Cuba US PTSD, psychological distress PTSDRI, checklist of PTSD symptoms Rothe et al (2002b) Cross sectional survey N = 87 adolescents Detention Duration: mean 6-8 months Cuba US PTSD, behavioural difficulties PTSDRI, CBCL-TRF Sen et al [ 45 ] Observational, Cross-sectional N = 101 male detained in immigration removal centre Detention Duration: unknown 27 different countries UK Neurodevelopmental MINI v6, SAPAS, AQ-10, ASRS, LDSQ, CANFOR No interpreters Sobhanian et al [ 42 ] Cross-sectional survery N = 150 former refugee detainees Detention Duration: mean 11.3 months, range 2 – 21 months Iran, Afghanistan Australia Psychological status and quality of life T-FAST, QOLI, POMS, SIS Translated and back translated into Farsi, self report administered under supervision of clinical psychologist Steel et al [ 23 ] Cross-sectional N = 10 families (14 adults, 20 children) held for in immigration detention for more than two years Detention Duration: mean 2 years 4 months, rang...…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The impact of immigration detention on mental health: a systematic review

et al. 2018

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BackgroundThe number of asylum seekers, refugees and internally displaced people worldwide has increased dramatically over the past 5 years. Many countries are continuing to resort to detaining asylum seekers and other migrants, despite concerns that this may be harmful. In light of the considerable body of recent research, this review aims to update and expand on a 2009 systematic review on the mental health consequences of detention on adult, adolescent and child immigration detainees, which found (on the basis on 9 studies) that there was consistent evidence that immigration detention had adverse effects on mental health.MethodsThree databases were searched using key terms relating to immigration detention and mental health. Electronic searches were supplemented by reference screening. Studies were included if they were quantitative, included individuals detained for immigration purposes, reported on mental health problems and were published in peer-reviewed journals. Two reviewers independently screened papers for eligibility, and a further two reviewers completed quality appraisals for included studies.ResultsTwenty- six studies (21 of which were not included in the 2009 review) reporting on a total of 2099 participants were included in the review. Overall, these studies indicated that adults, adolescents and children experienced high levels of mental health problems. Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder were most commonly reported both during and following detention. Higher symptom scores were found in detained compared to non-detained refugees. In addition (and more clearly than was evident in 2009), detention duration was positively associated with severity of mental symptoms. Greater trauma exposure prior to detention was also associated with symptom severity.ConclusionsThe literature base reviewed in this paper consistently demonstrated severe mental health consequences amongst detainees across a wide range of settings and jurisdictions. There is a pressing need for the proper consideration of mental health and consequent risk of detention-related harm in decisions surrounding detention as well as for improved care for individuals within detention facilities. Recommendations based on these findings are presented, including increased focus on the identification of vulnerability and on minimising the duration of detention.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12888-018-1945-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of immigration detention on mental health: a systematic review

et al. 2018

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“…In particular, Steel et al [ 23 ] highlighted that while none of their adult participants reported persistent suicidal ideation prior to detention, at the time of assessment, almost all (93 %) had experienced persistent thoughts of suicide, and a third had harmed themselves. Consistent with these results, Sobhanian et al [ 21 ] found a significant reduction in self-harm and suicidal ideation after refugees had been released. Some scholars have emphasized the political nature of these acts, not merely reducible to an expression of desperation [ 31 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…In particular, investigation conducted in Australia [ 13 , 20 , 23 , 24 , 26 , 29 ], as well as in UK [ 15 , 25 ], and in Japan [ 19 ] have demonstrated that M-RD causes the mental health of asylum seekers to deteriorate, and that this deterioration - mainly measured in terms of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression - is greater the longer the time in detention [15, 28; 29]. Moreover, high rates of suicide (completed and attempted) and self-harm among detainees have been revealed [ 16 , 21 , 23 , 29 , 56 , 57 ]. In particular, Steel et al [ 23 ] highlighted that while none of their adult participants reported persistent suicidal ideation prior to detention, at the time of assessment, almost all (93 %) had experienced persistent thoughts of suicide, and a third had harmed themselves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Migration-related detention centers: the challenges of an ecological perspective with a focus on justice

Esposito¹,

Ornelas²,

Arcidiacono

2015

BMC Int Health Hum Rights

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BackgroundIn recent years, border control and migration-related detention have become increasingly widespread practices affecting the lives of undocumented migrants, their families, and communities at large. In spite of the concern within academia, few studies have directly witnessed the life and experiences of people confined to migration-related detention centers. In the medical and psychological fields, a considerable body of research has demonstrated the pathogenic nature of detention in terms of mental health, showing an association between length of detention and severity of distress. Nevertheless, it was limited to the assessment of individuals’ clinical consequences, mainly focusing on asylum seekers. There currently exists a need to adopt an ecological perspective from which to study detained migrants’ experiences as context-dependent, and influenced by power inequalities. This paper addresses this gap.DiscussionDrawing upon advances in community psychology, we illustrate an ecological framework for the study of migration-related detention contexts, and their effects on the lives of detained migrants and all people exposed to them. Making use of existing literature, Kelly’s four principles (interdependence, cycling of resources, adaptation, succession) are analyzed at multiple ecological levels (personal, interpersonal, organizational, communal), highlighting implications for future research in this field. A focus on justice, as a key-dimension of analysis, is also discussed. Wellbeing is acknowledged as a multilevel, dynamic, and value-dependent phenomenon.SummaryIn presenting this alternative framework, the potential for studying migration-related detention through an ecological lens is highlighted, pointing the way for future fields of study. We argue that ecological multilevel analyses, conceptualized in terms of interdependent systems and with a focus on justice, can enhance the comprehension of the dynamics at play in migration-related detention centers, providing an effective tool to address the multi-level challenges of doing research within them. Furthermore, they can contribute to the development of policies and practices concerned with health, equality, and human rights of all people exposed to migration-related detention. Consistent with these assumptions, empirical studies adopting such a framework are strongly encouraged. These studies should use mixed and multi-method culturally situated designs, based on the development of collaborative and empowering relationships with participants. Ethnographic approaches are recommended.

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“…(p. 277). Sobhanian, Boyle, Bahr, and Fallo (2006) reported that mean scores on the POMS subscales (except for Vigor) were significantly elevated when refugees were incarcerated in the Woomera Detention Centre, and subsequently declined following their release into the Australian community. …”

Section: Criterion/predictivementioning

confidence: 99%