A 3-year follow-up study of psychosocial functioning and general symptoms in settled refugees

Objective: Few community studies have addressed the longitudinal course of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in traumatized refugees in early resettlement. This longitudinal study investigated changes from the first (T1) to the second interview (T2), 3 years later. The relationship between traum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica 2002-12, Vol.106 (6), p.415-425
Main Author: Lie, B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acculturation
Adaptation, Psychological
Adolescent
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Aged
Anxiety disorders. Neuroses
Biological and medical sciences
Dissociative Disorders - etiology
family
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Norway
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Quality of Life - psychology
refugees
Refugees - psychology
Risk Factors
Sampling Studies
Social Support
stress
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Time Factors
torture
unemployment
war
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Summary:Objective: Few community studies have addressed the longitudinal course of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in traumatized refugees in early resettlement. This longitudinal study investigated changes from the first (T1) to the second interview (T2), 3 years later. The relationship between traumatic exposures and psychosocial factors/psychological symptom load were examined. Method: Local health professionals performed the interviews, using rating scales and a structured questionnaire. A total of 240 (52%) refugees attended. Results: Unchanged Hopkins Symptom Checklist‐25 and increase in Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and post‐traumatic stress symptoms‐16 between T1 and T2 were found, indicating the severity and chronicity of problems. Mean post‐traumatic stress score was 15% above cut‐off. Severe life‐threatening trauma and present life in exile with unemployment and unresolved family reunion were risk factors. Conclusion: Early diagnostic interview should be followed by targeted approach. Pinpointing those in need of specialist services is essential. An interdisciplinary approach is necessary in this work.
ISSN:0001-690X
1600-0447
DOI:10.1034/j.1600-0447.2002.01436.x