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Polytraumatization and trauma symptoms in adolescent boys and girls: interpersonal and noninterpersonal events and moderating effects of adverse family circumstances
- Authors:
- NILSSON Doris Kristina, GUSTAFSSON Per E., SVEDIN Carl Göran
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(13), September 2012, pp.2645-2664.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Previous research has highlighted that polyvictimisation or polytraumatisation among adolescents are important predictors of reported trauma-related symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative effect of interpersonal and noninterpersonal traumatic life events (IPEs and nIPEs, respectively) on the mental health of adolescents and to determine if the adverse impacts of this trauma were moderated by adverse family circumstances (AFC). A total of 462 adolescents from 13 different schools and 27 classes completed the questionnaire, the Linköping Youth Life Experience Scale (LYLES), together with Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC). The findings showed that the lifetime accumulation of interpersonal, noninterpersonal, and AFC was independently related to trauma-related symptoms in both boys and girls. The number of AFCs moderated the mental health impact of both IPEs and nIPEs in boys, but not in girls. The article concludes that cumulative exposure to both interpersonal and noninterpersonal traumatic events is important for the mental health of adolescents, and, at least for boys, family circumstances seem to be relevant for the impact of trauma. The implications for practice are discussed.
Quality of life and health promotion intervention – a follow up study among newly-arrived Arabic-speaking refugees in Malmö, Sweden
- Authors:
- ERIKSSON-SJÖÖ Tina, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 8(3), 2012, pp.112-126.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article focuses on the benefits of a health promotion programme for newly arrived refugees from Arabic-speaking countries. The Health Promotion Intervention Course (HPIC) is a group training course set up in Malmö, Sweden in which the participants receive information from clinical professionals such as nurses and physicians. This study aims to illuminate self-perceived health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among newly-arrived Arabic-speaking refugees before and after they had participated in the HPIC. Data was collected before and immediately after the HPIC and at a 6-month follow-up. The research methods comprised questionnaires, observations and oral evaluations in groups. A total of 39 participants completed the survey at all 3 time points. The results show that disturbed sleep was significantly associated with 4 of the 5 health states (mobility, main activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression). The majority of the participants described stress, diseases and treatments, and also a lack of trust in the Swedish health care system. There were changes over time, with the participant’s perceptions of their health and quality of life significantly improving after the HPIC. Sleep and recovery problems were perceived as less difficult at the course completion and the second follow-up.
Normal life crises and insanity: mental illness contextualised
- Authors:
- INGVARSDOTTER Karin, JOHNSDOTTER Sara, ÖSTMAN Margareta
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 15(3), 2012, pp.345-360.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Based on a 2005 Swedish survey, the people of Rosengård, a culturally heterogeneous borough of Malmö, utilise considerably less mental health services in relation to their estimated needs than the rest of the city's population. A previous study based on interviews with people living or working in the area suggested several possible reasons. The most important finding was their perception of what constitutes mental illness – if the cause of one's disturbed mental state is viewed as a normal life crises rather than an illness, one does not seek medical treatment. This article illustrates how under-utilisation of mental health services by an immigrant population can be explained by their different perceptions of what constitutes mental illness. Interventions should add concerns regarding a client's socio-economic and psychosocial needs, rather than solely follow a medical model. Implications for practice are discussed.