Abstract
BackgroundLegal status and other resettlement stressors are known to impact mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. However, the ways in which they interact with treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with these populations is still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine whether legal status and other resettlement stressors influence outcomes of a trauma-focused group PTSD treatment within a day-treatment setting with asylum seekers and refugees.MethodsSixty six male Iranian and Afghan patients with PTSD residing in the Netherlands were assessed with self-rated symptom checklists for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and a demographic questionnaire one week before and two weeks after the treatment. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to examine the impact of legal status and living arrangements on the treatment outcomes per symptom domain.ResultsThe results suggest that both asylum seekers and refugees can be helped with their mental health complaints with a trauma-focused group therapy for PTSD regardless of their legal status. Obtaining a refugee status in a course of the treatment appears to improve the treatment outcomes.ConclusionsLegal status is impacting outcomes of group therapy for PTSD with male asylum seekers and refugees. Asylum seekers may benefit from group treatment regardless of unstable living conditions.
Highlights
Legal status and other resettlement stressors are known to impact mental health of asylum seekers and refugees
Demographics, trauma history and resettlement variables The sample consisted of 66 male patients, 47 (71%) from Iran, and 19 (29%) from Afghanistan
Research [13] suggests that resettlement stressors strongly impact mental health of asylum seekers and refugees
Summary
Legal status and other resettlement stressors are known to impact mental health of asylum seekers and refugees. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [1], there were 10,4 million refugees, 15,6 million internally displaced persons, and 6,6 million stateless persons worldwide in 2009 Those arriving in host areas such as Europe, North America and Australia submit a request for asylum and are, considered as asylum seekers. Some of them are immediately rejected, and either repatriated or remain illegally in a host country Others may have their claims for political asylum rejected, but are temporarily accepted on “humanitarian” grounds because of having an illness such as a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can not be treated in the home country. Asylum seekers have minimal legal rights and restricted opportunities to participate in a host society Their situation changes only when they obtain a permanent legal status and become recognized as refugees
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