Abstract
BackgroundIn 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.MethodBetween 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).ResultsFormerly enslaved Yazidi females showed a significantly higher prevalence of severe mental distress (97.1%; P < 0.001), more severe levels of depression (36.7%; P < 0.001) and general anxiety symptoms (37.4%; P < 0.001), greater rates of PTSD (90.6%; P < 0.001) and higher reported rates of suicidal ideation (38.1%; P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis undertaken to examine the role of sociodemographic factors as predictors of the assessed mental health conditions. Amongst the formerly enslaved group, no such significance was found, however amongst the non-enslaved group, unemployment was found to statistically determine depression, generalized anxiety and PTSD. Specifically, women from the non-enslaved group who were unemployed were 2.5 times more likely to have depression, 3 times more likely to have generalized anxiety and 3.3 times more likely to have PTSD. Finally, amongst the non-enslaved group, those women with between 5 to 8 siblings were significantly less likely to have depression than those with fewer siblings.ConclusionRates of distress and trauma related symptomology were significantly higher amongst those with history of enslavement. Sociodemographic factors and duration of enslavement do not seem to predict mental disorders among enslaved females.
Highlights
In 2014 the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) undertook a systematic and deliberate campaign against minority groups and non-Sunni Muslim communities
In August 2014, the terrorist organization known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attacked began one of most deadliest genocides committed against the Yazidi homelands in northwestern Iraq [5]
It is estimated that about 5500 Yazidis were killed and approximately 6000 endured some period under ISIS captivity [6, 6] In addition to the mass killing, Yazidi women in particular were subjected to murder, enslavement, torture, rape, sexual violence
Summary
In 2014 the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) undertook a systematic and deliberate campaign against minority groups and non-Sunni Muslim communities. There are few written documents on Yezidi history or their belief system and instead are a highly oral culture with strong focus on song and storytelling Due to their ancient faith that integrates elements of Islamic beliefs with Zoroastrianism and Mithraism, misunderstanding has meant that persecution has been a historical constant for this community [2, 3]. In space of two weeks ISIS fighters rounded the city of Sinjar and surrounding towns and villages driving Yazidis to flee or seek refuge on Mount of Sinjar. Those who could not run away quickly were either killed or abducted [6]. Thousands were captured and sold into sexual slavery [6] and or forced to marry ISIS fighters with estimates that approximately 3537 women and girls were abducted and another 3200 Yezidi women and children are still being held in ISIS captivity [5]
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