Impact of a Long Asylum Procedure on the Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders in Iraqi Asylum Seekers in The Netherlands

Abstract

Clinically, a long asylum procedure seems to be associated with psychiatric disorders. However, data on this issue are lacking. In a national community-based study, using random sampling, we compared two groups of Iraqi asylum seekers, who had resided less than 6 months (N = 143) and more than 2 years (N= 151), respectively, in The Netherlands. Respondents were interviewed with fully structured, culturally validated, translated questionnaires. Psychiatric (DSM-IV) disorders were measured with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 and evaluated in relation with premigration and postmigration adverse life events. Overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 42% in the first group and 66.2% in the second. The prevalence rates of anxiety, depressive, and somatoform disorders were significantly higher in the second group. Posttraumatic stress disorder was high in both groups but did not differ (p > .05). On logistic regression of all relevant risk factors, a long asylum procedure showed an odds ratio of 2.16 (confidence interval = 1.15-4.08) for psychopathology. The conclusion is that, indeed, the duration of the asylum procedure is an important risk factor for psychiatric problems. Both politicians and mental health workers should take note of this finding.

Psychopathology and resident status – comparing asylum seekers, refugees, illegal migrants, labor migrants, and residents

“…Increased psychiatric morbidity in asylum seekers has been confirmed in previous studies (12,22). The finding that refugees did not show elevated incidences of clinically relevant levels of anxiety fits well with the previously noted decline in psychopathological symptoms in asylum seekers after they have been accepted as refugees (23).…”

“…Asylum seekers and refugees in particular were found to suffer from symptoms of posttraumatic stress, depression and anxiety (e.g. 8,12,22). Several studies report associations of psychopathology not only with traumatic experiences prior to migration but also with the living situation in exile (13,20,22).…”

Trauma, exile and mental health in young refugees

“…When the study Refugee children from the Middle East was carried out, the existing knowledge regarding the association between asylum seeking and mental health was limited. Subsequently, repeated studies of adult asylum seekers have suggested an association between refugee status and asylum seeking and poor mental health (96)(97)(98)(99)(100)(101)(102)(103)(104)(105). In addition, later studies have confirmed that asylum-seeking children suffer from poor mental health as well; for instance, 58% of the 11-16-year-old asylum seekers in Denmark were found to have signs of a mental illness (106) according to a combination of information from teachers and the children themselves.…”

Day patient treatment for traumatic grief: preliminary evaluation of a one-year treatment programme for patients with multiple and traumatic losses

“…Comorbidity of PCBD and/or PTSD with other psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD) (Kessler, Sonnega, Bromet, Hughes, & Nelson, 1995; Schaal, Dusingizemungu, Jacob, Neuner, & Elbert, 2012), psychotic disorders (Sareen, Cox, Goodwin, & Asmundson, 2005) and substance abuse disorders (Kessler et al, 1995) is often observed. Furthermore, refugees are confronted with ongoing stressors that can fuel the risk for psychopathology (Laban 2004, 2005), such as insecurity about residential status, concerns about wellbeing of family members left behind, socioeconomic disadvantage, and adaptation to the host culture.…”