Explanatory models and help-seeking for symptoms of PTSD and depression among Syrian refugees

Aarethun, V.; Sandal, Gro Mjeldheim; Guribye, Eugene; Markova, Valeria; Bye, Hege H.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113889

Cited by 27 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…As an individual's cultural context changes, help-seeking preferences and behaviors are likely to change as well. This is supported by interviews with Syrian refugees (17). Similarly, preference for cultural traditions of the host country (including willingness to marry a Norwegian person, participating in social activities with Norwegians, etc.)…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…To measure help-seeking preferences, participants were presented with a vignette describing an individual, who was experiencing symptoms in line with DSM-V and ICD-10 criteria of depression ( 54 , 55 ). The vignette is the same as used by Aarethun et al ( 17 ), Markova et al ( 56 ), and Markova et al ( 26 ), which is based on Erdal and colleagues ( 57 ). Female participants were presented with a female vignette character and males with a male vignette character.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, mental healthcare in Syria has been neglected for decades ( 15 ), and studies on access and barriers to MH and psychosocial support in Syria are quite limited ( 13 ). It has been suggested that stigma associated with psychological and psychiatric disorders stands in the way of the use of MH services among Syrians in Syria ( 16 , 17 ). Importantly, Syrians with a refugee background may seek help differently in Norway than Syria ( 17 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has been suggested that stigma associated with psychological and psychiatric disorders stands in the way of the use of MH services among Syrians in Syria ( 16 , 17 ). Importantly, Syrians with a refugee background may seek help differently in Norway than Syria ( 17 ). This could relate to the different role of the GP in these countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In Norway, patients, who want to see a specialist funded by the state are required to seek help via their GP ( 18 ). In Syria, however, patients are typically able to access specialist services directly, experiencing fewer delays and waiting times ( 17 ). Furthermore, the GP may be seen as a source of help for physical problems rather than MH problems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Integration Is Correlated With Mental Health Help-Seeking From the General Practitioner: Syrian Refugees' Preferences and Perceived Barriers

Harris

Sandal

Bye

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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Despite a seemingly higher need, refugees in Europe tend to underuse mental health (MH) services. To better understand this underuse, it is important to understand refugees' willingness and ability to seek help from their general practitioner (GP) when experiencing MH problems. We employed a combined vignette and survey design to explore how the GP fits into the larger context of help-seeking preferences among a sample of Syrian refugees in Norway (n = 92), and what barriers they perceive in accessing help from the GP. We also examined how indicators of integration relate to seeking help from the GP. We take an exploratory approach. Participants were presented a vignette of an individual with symptoms in line with ICD-10 and DSM-5 criteria for depression. Participants were somewhat likely to seek help from the GP; however, seeking help from one's relationship with Allah/God and one's partner was preferred. Furthermore, while the GP was rated a somewhat likely help-seeking source, most participants indicated an average of two barriers to seeking help from the GP. Finally, social ties to the majority population in the form of social integration and feelings of connectedness with the host country (psychological integration) were positively correlated with likelihood of seeking help from the GP. Taken together, these findings suggest that the GP is considered a viable source of help among Syrians with a refugee background in the current sample, but that this may be influenced by perceived barriers and social as well as psychological integration. Addressing these barriers and promoting psychosocial integration with the host country are key to facilitating access and usage amongst refugees in need of MH services.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Integration Is Correlated With Mental Health Help-Seeking From the General Practitioner: Syrian Refugees' Preferences and Perceived Barriers

Harris

Sandal

Bye

et al. 2021

Front. Public Health

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Do refugees with better mental health better integrate? Evidence from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal survey

Dang,

Trinh,

Verme

2023

Health Economics

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Hardly any evidence exists on the effects of mental distress on refugee labor outcomes. We offer the first study on this topic in the context of Australia, one of the host countries with the largest number of refugees per capita in the world. Analyzing the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal survey, we exploit the variations in traumatic experiences of refugees interacted with post‐resettlement time periods to causally identify the impacts of refugee mental health. We find that worse mental health, as measured by a one‐standard‐deviation increase in the Kessler mental health score, reduces the probability of employment by 11.9% and labor income by 22.8%. These effects appear more pronounced for refugees that newly arrive or are without social networks, but they may be ameliorated with government support. These findings have significant implications for the development of health and labor policies, particularly regarding the integration of refugees within host countries.

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The effectiveness and acceptability of culturally adapted cognitive behavioural therapy for traumatised refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review

Menon,

Katona,

Glover

2024

Mental Health Science

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Despite the extent of traumatisation experienced by refugee groups, uptake of evidence‐based interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) remain low with high dropout rates. While this has been linked to cultural differences in help seeking and how illness is understood, little is known about how effective or acceptable cultural adaptations to CBT (CA‐CBT) are. Conduct a systematic review of the types of CA‐CBT delivered to refugee groups and evaluate their effectiveness and acceptability. We searched six databases for CA‐CBT delivered to refugee groups experiencing depression or post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Effectiveness was evaluated using both quantitative outcome measures and qualitative data. Dropout rates were collected as a proxy measure of acceptability. The types of cultural adaptations used were also described. Findings are presented using narrative synthesis. We include 13 studies that made cultural adaptations to the delivery format or content of CA‐CBT. Linguistic adaptations and including culturally relevant emotion regulation strategies were most common. Results showed significant decreases in PTSD symptom severity in all but one study, and significant decreases in depression outcomes across all studies. Dropout rates was nine percent among all participants. Findings from qualitative studies indicated reduced distress whereas cultural adaptation increased trust in treatment. There is initial evidence supporting the effectiveness and acceptability of CA‐CBT. However, more research is required to establish best practices for adapting CBT to different cultures. Methodologically rigorous tests are needed to determine if CA‐CBT effectively meets the needs of forcibly displaced populations.

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Explanatory models and help-seeking for symptoms of PTSD and depression among Syrian refugees

Cited by 27 publications

References 38 publications

Integration Is Correlated With Mental Health Help-Seeking From the General Practitioner: Syrian Refugees' Preferences and Perceived Barriers

Integration Is Correlated With Mental Health Help-Seeking From the General Practitioner: Syrian Refugees' Preferences and Perceived Barriers

Do refugees with better mental health better integrate? Evidence from the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal survey

The effectiveness and acceptability of culturally adapted cognitive behavioural therapy for traumatised refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review

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