PTSD Symptoms in Afghan Refugees in the UK

Mariwan Husni,Zack Cernovsky,Ghafoor Rahim

doi:10.5296/ijssr.v3i1.7268

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate anamnestic and sociodemographic correlates of PTSD symptoms in refugees from Afghanistan.Method: Fifty Afghan refugees in the UK (mean age 37.4 years, SD=12.1; 33 men, 17 women) underwent SCID interview for PTSD, administered in their native language (Pashtun or Dari).Results: Eighteen (36.0%) reported being tortured while in Afghanistan. More than half (54.0%) of these refugees met criteria for PTSD. While the diagnosis was not significantly related to age, gender, education, and history of torture, those free of PTSD rated their present occupation in UK as more satisfactory (r=.28, p=.048).Almost a half (46.0%) of these refugees reported nightmares about the circumstances of their escape from Afghanistan.Conclusions: Although PTSD symptoms were noted in more than a half of our sample, they were related neither to history of torture nor to sociodemographic variables (age, gender, education).

Highlights

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a frequent but usually underdiagnosed phenomenon among refugees from war torn countries such as Afghanistan (Malekzai, 1996).Afghan refugees comprise one of the largest refugee populations in the world numbering more than 6 million
2015, Vol 3, No 1 related to age, gender, education, and history of torture, those free of PTSD rated their present occupation in UK as more satisfactory (r=.28, p=.048)
The translation and explanation of the PTSD items to the refugees was complicated by sociocultural barriers

Summary

Introduction

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a frequent but usually underdiagnosed phenomenon among refugees from war torn countries such as Afghanistan (Malekzai, 1996).Afghan refugees comprise one of the largest refugee populations in the world numbering more than 6 million. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a frequent but usually underdiagnosed phenomenon among refugees from war torn countries such as Afghanistan (Malekzai, 1996). Studies have shown that the mental health status of Afghans and their traumatic experiences during decades of conflict has resulted in poorer social functioning and higher prevalence of symptoms of anxiety, and PTSD (Cardozo, 2004). The prevalence of psychiatric disorders among adult Afghan refugees living in Europe and America is higher than among the general population (Gernaat, 2002). PTSD symptoms are notoriously prevalent but usually remain undocumented and their socio-demographic context remains largely unexplored.

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