Initiatory Mental Health Assessments for Dinka and Nuer Refugees from Sudan

Abstract

Sudanese refugees resettled in the U.S. cited the replacement of lower front teeth removed through childhood ritual as critical to a healthy transition. Consequently, we designed a dental restoration program that included initiatory mental health assessments. This study presents the psychological baseline of participants prior to dental restoration and includes documentation of refugee-related trauma exposure. Dinka and Nuer adults were interviewed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. Results demonstrated expected levels of trauma exposure, yet produced unexpectedly low aggregate scores for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Such findings strongly suggest that aggregate scores must be considered within the context of the individual clinical presentation embedded within the refugees' cultural schemas, cultural idioms of distress, and overall cultural meaning systems.

Trauma Healing Club: Utilizing Culturally Responsive Processes in the Implementation of an After-School Group Intervention to Address Trauma Among African Refugees

“…However, such a cultural assumption fails to account for the arbitrary nature of African nation states created by colonizing European powers. An example of this is when the USA created a Sudanese community in a region, with 300 refugees, but the US failed to consider that within that group there were 13 distinct ethnic groups represented and each had their own culture and language (Fox & Willis, 2009 ). This is indicative of the tendency the resettlement programs have in assuming that one nation means one culture; thus, all African refugees can be processed as though they come from the same culture (Fox & Willis, 2009 ).…”

“…An example of this is when the USA created a Sudanese community in a region, with 300 refugees, but the US failed to consider that within that group there were 13 distinct ethnic groups represented and each had their own culture and language (Fox & Willis, 2009 ). This is indicative of the tendency the resettlement programs have in assuming that one nation means one culture; thus, all African refugees can be processed as though they come from the same culture (Fox & Willis, 2009 ). The researchers did their best to support the individual needs of all participants and incorporate their respective “community” and culture into the intervention and program; however, this small research study only represent a small portion of the refugee population found across the United States.…”

Posttraumatic Growth Experiences of Syrian Refugees After War

“…Studies considering the psychology of refugees have mostly focused on negative life conditions, trauma, and stress (e.g., Fox & Willis, 2009; Jakobsen, Thoresen, & Johansen, 2011; Peña, Garcini, Gutierrez, Ulibarri, & Klonoff, 2016; Shannon et al, 2012). But as with other traumatic events, refugees may experience positive life changes after war.…”