Postmigration Living Problems and Common Psychiatric Disorders in Iraqi Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands

Abstract

In a previous community-based, national study among Iraqi asylum seekers, a long asylum procedure was found to have a higher risk for common psychiatric disorders than adverse life events in Iraq. In the present article, the postmigration period is considered in more detail and evaluated in relationship with psychiatric disorders. Respondents were interviewed with fully structured, culturally validated, translated questionnaires. With the use of a Post- migration Living Problems questionnaire, worries about all kinds of problems were gathered. Psychiatric (DSM-IV) disorders were measured with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1. Factor analysis was done on the postmigration living problems, and in univariate and multivariate analyses, associations with psychopathology were calculated. Results show that clusters of postmigration living problems could be identified: family issues, discrimination, asylum procedure, socioeconomic living conditions, socioreligious aspects, and work-related issues. There was a significant relationship between all clustered postmigration living problems and psychopathology, except for socioreligious aspects. Multivariate logistic regression showed that lack of work, family issues, and asylum procedure stress had the highest odds ratios for psychopathology. The findings appeal to governments to shorten the asylum procedures, allow asylum seekers to work, and give preference to family reunion. Mental health workers should recognize the impact of postmigration living problems and consider focusing their treatment on coping with these problems instead of traumas from the past.

“Thinking Too Much”: Psychological distress, sources of stress and coping strategies of resettled Afghan and Kurdish refugees

“…In particular, we noted significant differences between groups based on gender, with females scoring higher on the distress scale than males, which is also consistent with other research (Miller et al, 2006;Porter & Haslam, 2005;Schweitzer, Melville, Steel, & Lacherez, 2006). Unemployment, not being able to speak English, being previously married (either divorced or widowed), and having only minimal education were also associated with an increased risk of psychological distress as reported elsewhere (Beiser & Hou, 2001;Laban, Gernaat, Komproe, van der Tweel, & De Jong, 2005;Nwadiora & McAdoo, 1996). Many of these variables are interrelated: learning English could be more difficult for people Can't be treated, struggle through alone with limited literacy skills and those with minimal education may have less English at the time of migration, which in turn will impact on employability.…”

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Multidisciplinary treatment for traumatized refugees in a naturalistic setting: symptom courses and predictors

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