International Journal of Migration Health and Social Care, 10(1), 2014, pp.52-59.
Publisher:
Emerald
Purpose: Psychotherapy with refugees in the western world is quite often complicated because many refugees live without a secure residency status. It is difficult to have a structured therapeutic perspective when doing psychotherapy with these patients because of their fears and daily problems. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate psychotherapy results for 190 traumatized refugees (40 per cent without a secure residency).
Design/methodology/approach: To measure the outcome of the psychotherapies the paper used HAM-D and CGI at baseline and at the end of the therapeutic process.
Findings: The study shows that, although refugees without a legal status had more depressive symptoms and lived with much higher psychosocial stress, psychotherapy was as effective as for traumatized refugees with a legal status.
Research limitations/implications: Heterogeneity, convenience sampling and retrospective completion of some of the baseline assessments.
Practical implications: Psychotherapeutic treatment of refugees has a clear positive effect on them and should be applied even in those without legal residence status in the host country.
Originality/value: This is the first study assessing the effectiveness of daily practice psychotherapy for refugees with and without a legal status in a comparative fashion.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Purpose: Psychotherapy with refugees in the western world is quite often complicated because many refugees live without a secure residency status. It is difficult to have a structured therapeutic perspective when doing psychotherapy with these patients because of their fears and daily problems. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate psychotherapy results for 190 traumatized refugees (40 per cent without a secure residency).
Design/methodology/approach: To measure the outcome of the psychotherapies the paper used HAM-D and CGI at baseline and at the end of the therapeutic process.
Findings: The study shows that, although refugees without a legal status had more depressive symptoms and lived with much higher psychosocial stress, psychotherapy was as effective as for traumatized refugees with a legal status.
Research limitations/implications: Heterogeneity, convenience sampling and retrospective completion of some of the baseline assessments.
Practical implications: Psychotherapeutic treatment of refugees has a clear positive effect on them and should be applied even in those without legal residence status in the host country.
Originality/value: This is the first study assessing the effectiveness of daily practice psychotherapy for refugees with and without a legal status in a comparative fashion.
(Edited publisher abstract)
MITSCHKE Diane B., PRAETORIUS Regina T., KELLY Don R.
Journal article citation:
International Social Work, 60(3), 2017, pp.588-600.
Publisher:
Sage
Understanding the dynamics of mental health of recently resettled refugees is an essential component of any comprehensive resettlement programme, yet establishing the components of a successful and acceptable mental health intervention is an elusive task. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 resettled refugees from five countries who had received treatment for depression,
(Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding the dynamics of mental health of recently resettled refugees is an essential component of any comprehensive resettlement programme, yet establishing the components of a successful and acceptable mental health intervention is an elusive task. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 resettled refugees from five countries who had received treatment for depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, or anxiety. Themes generated from the interviews emphasised the need for strong group-based social support as well as a focus on practical needs such as acquiring and maintaining employment, language and literacy training, and access to care.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
refugees, mental health problems, intervention, treatment, black and minority ethnic people, needs, service provision;
Families in Society, 85(3), July 2004, pp.291-300,.
Publisher:
The Alliance for Children and Families
Discusses the worldwide extent of torture, on which little information is found in professional literature though social work provides services to refugees and immigrants, the groups most likely to have been tortured. Reviews the prevalence of torture survivors in the USA and discusses populations most at risk and the effects of torture. The heart of the article discusses treatment considerations
Discusses the worldwide extent of torture, on which little information is found in professional literature though social work provides services to refugees and immigrants, the groups most likely to have been tortured. Reviews the prevalence of torture survivors in the USA and discusses populations most at risk and the effects of torture. The heart of the article discusses treatment considerations and resources for social workers involved with survivors, working with whom requires knowledge about human rights violations; symptoms identification and reluctance to reveal this part of their past; community context and treatment environments; skills in healing trauma; advocacy; and brokering necessary medical, mental health, legal and social services.
Subject terms:
immigrants, human rights, refugees, social work, treatment, therapy and treatment, torture;
Booklet aimed at refugee advisory workers. Contains sections on: refugees and mental health; varieties of mental health problems; treating mental health problems; mental health services; how mental health care is delivered; and how to get help.
Booklet aimed at refugee advisory workers. Contains sections on: refugees and mental health; varieties of mental health problems; treating mental health problems; mental health services; how mental health care is delivered; and how to get help.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mental health services, refugees, treatment, therapy and treatment, advice services, asylum seekers;
Ljetopis Studijskog Centra Socijalnog Rada, 4,, 1997, pp.157-165.
Publisher:
University of Zagreb
Place of publication:
Zagreb
The authors present the application of therapeutic interventions aimed to alleviate trauma experience among children in Croatia. [Article in Croatian].
The authors present the application of therapeutic interventions aimed to alleviate trauma experience among children in Croatia. [Article in Croatian].
Subject terms:
post traumatic stress disorder, refugees, traumas, treatment, therapies, therapy and treatment, children;
Clinical Social Work Journal, 40(4), 2012, pp.421-428.
Publisher:
Springer
Place of publication:
New York
The authors served as psychiatrists during the recent war in Croatia, 1991–1995. From the onset of this armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, their group provided mental health and psychiatric care to waves of refugees, displaced persons, soldiers and former prisoners of war. Such care was also provided to civilians living under the threat of warfare. In this endeavor, the Croatian health
(Publisher abstract)
The authors served as psychiatrists during the recent war in Croatia, 1991–1995. From the onset of this armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, their group provided mental health and psychiatric care to waves of refugees, displaced persons, soldiers and former prisoners of war. Such care was also provided to civilians living under the threat of warfare. In this endeavor, the Croatian health service received considerable assistance from international non-governmental organisations. Since the war, professionals in the mental health field have continued to provide help, support and various kinds of treatment to people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, coping difficulties and personality changes. Four regional psychotrauma centres (RPCs) have been established in Croatia, together with a network of counseling centres set up as governmental agencies. The Regional Psychotrauma Center of Split (southern Croatia) that serves war veterans and their families will be described herein. Research data is presented and discussed.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
groupwork, traumas, war, intervention, treatment, mental health problems, armed forces personnel, refugees, post traumatic stress disorder, mental health services;
Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions, 4(3), 2004, pp.23-45.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Several agencies interested in serving Cambodian immigrants established a substance abuse treatment demonstration project which included culturally specific elements such as co-therapy done by a bilingual, bicultural Cambodian worker and a mainstream American social worker; formation of an advisory committee with Cambodian members; home visiting and family involvement; emphasis on traditional cultural values as motivators; integration of Buddhist philosophy; and use of acupuncture for detoxification. In spite of careful planning and several program accomplishments, the program initially received few client referrals. A fact-finding process revealed several barriers, including stigmatization of substance abuse and few Cambodian providers with substance abuse training. Case vignettes and organizational and clinical recommendations are provided for community leaders and advisory groups working with other low-incidence refugee and immigrant populations. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Several agencies interested in serving Cambodian immigrants established a substance abuse treatment demonstration project which included culturally specific elements such as co-therapy done by a bilingual, bicultural Cambodian worker and a mainstream American social worker; formation of an advisory committee with Cambodian members; home visiting and family involvement; emphasis on traditional cultural values as motivators; integration of Buddhist philosophy; and use of acupuncture for detoxification. In spite of careful planning and several program accomplishments, the program initially received few client referrals. A fact-finding process revealed several barriers, including stigmatization of substance abuse and few Cambodian providers with substance abuse training. Case vignettes and organizational and clinical recommendations are provided for community leaders and advisory groups working with other low-incidence refugee and immigrant populations. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580)
Subject terms:
immigrants, refugees, substance misuse, treatment, therapy and treatment, Buddhism, cultural identity, detoxification;
Reports on how refugees experience up to five times more incidence of mental illness than the general population and yet they are not well served by statutory services.
Reports on how refugees experience up to five times more incidence of mental illness than the general population and yet they are not well served by statutory services.
Subject terms:
mental health problems, mental health services, refugees, treatment, therapy and treatment, unmet need, access to services, asylum seekers, general practitioners;
Community Mental Health Journal, 37(3), June 2001, pp.261-271.
Publisher:
Springer
Investigates providers' knowledge, attitudes and service provision patterns for Bosnian refugees with PTSD in the USA and considers the overall implications for trauma-related mental health services. A survey instrument was developed and administered to 30 randomly selected service providers working with Bosnian refugees in Chicago. This includes primary medical care providers, community social service providers and mental health service providers. Results showed that knowledge about PTSD is highest in mental health service providers, as is amount of previous training and education about PTSD. Results found less than half of all providers systematically assess for PTSD, and standardised instruments for PTSD are rarely used. In general, less than half of providers hold attitudes toward refugees as suffering from illnesses or mental disorders. Likewise, only half of the providers reported providing education to refugees and their families about the possible mental health consequences of trauma. Concludes that assessment, intervention and educational activities of providers are not consistent with literature documenting that PTSD is highly prevalent in refugee populations. New training programmes, model development, and research initiatives are needed to address the needs of refugees.
Investigates providers' knowledge, attitudes and service provision patterns for Bosnian refugees with PTSD in the USA and considers the overall implications for trauma-related mental health services. A survey instrument was developed and administered to 30 randomly selected service providers working with Bosnian refugees in Chicago. This includes primary medical care providers, community social service providers and mental health service providers. Results showed that knowledge about PTSD is highest in mental health service providers, as is amount of previous training and education about PTSD. Results found less than half of all providers systematically assess for PTSD, and standardised instruments for PTSD are rarely used. In general, less than half of providers hold attitudes toward refugees as suffering from illnesses or mental disorders. Likewise, only half of the providers reported providing education to refugees and their families about the possible mental health consequences of trauma. Concludes that assessment, intervention and educational activities of providers are not consistent with literature documenting that PTSD is highly prevalent in refugee populations. New training programmes, model development, and research initiatives are needed to address the needs of refugees.
Subject terms:
mental health services, post traumatic stress disorder, refugees, social services, treatment, therapy and treatment, attitudes, diagnosis, health care;
Clinical Social Work Journal, 29(1), Spring 2001, pp.65-78.
Publisher:
Springer
Place of publication:
New York
Southeast Asian refugees have suffered severe traumas, and face the challenges of adapting to a new and unfamiliar land. This paper identifies techniques for time-limited mental health treatment with this group. These include the initial task of establishing clinician credibility (by focusing on symptom reduction), assisting resettlement, and working through the traumas they suffered. In addition, the special challenges of working with refugees are addressed.
Southeast Asian refugees have suffered severe traumas, and face the challenges of adapting to a new and unfamiliar land. This paper identifies techniques for time-limited mental health treatment with this group. These include the initial task of establishing clinician credibility (by focusing on symptom reduction), assisting resettlement, and working through the traumas they suffered. In addition, the special challenges of working with refugees are addressed.
Subject terms:
immigrants, mental health services, refugees, traumas, treatment, therapy and treatment, war, counselling;