Measures of depression, generalized anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders amongst Yazidi female survivors of ISIS slavery and violence

• Published in: International journal of mental health systems 2020-11, Vol.14 (1), p.80-80, Article 80
• Main Authors: Taha, Perjan Hashim, Slewa-Younan, Shameran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abused women; Aggression; Anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Captivity; Depression; Depression (Mood disorder); Diagnosis; Enslavement; Females; Generalized anxiety disorder; Health aspects; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Minority & ethnic groups; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychological aspects; PTSD; Risk factors; Sex crimes; Siblings; Slavery; Suicide; Surveys; Terrorism victims; Trauma; Yazidi; Yezidis
• ISSN: 1752-4458; 1752-4458
• DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00412-4

In 2014 the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) undertook a systematic and deliberate campaign against minority groups and non-Sunni Muslim communities. Amongst some of the greatest atrocities were those targeted towards Yazidi communities and in particular their women. The mental health outcomes of those women held in captivity requires investigation. This study sought to examine and compare levels of general psychological distress, depression, generalized anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and self-reported suicidal thoughts and behaviors amongst Yazidi women held in captivity compared with those without such experiences. Between January to May 2019, a total 348 Yazidi women located in internal displaced person (IDP) camps were interviewed. Of these 348, 139 females were survivors of ISIS captivity. Measures used included Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and Harvard Trauma Questionnaire part IV (HTQ part IV). Formerly enslaved Yazidi females showed a significantly higher prevalence of severe mental distress (97.1%; P