PTSD of rape after IS (“Islamic State”) captivity

Abstract

Research into the psychological consequences of rape on women in war and warlike situations is limited. The aims of this study were (a) to describe the prevalence and the nature of PTSD symptoms among Yazidi women reporting rape during IS captivity, (b) to describe comorbidity of other psychological disorders, and (c) to examine the risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder.The study included 296 Yazidi women survivors of rape and has been conducted in Germany since January 2016 as part of a special-quota project in the German region of Baden-Wuerttemberg, designed to support the women and children who have escaped after being held hostage by IS.The survivors were recruited into a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Interviews in Germany were done through trained personnel to evaluate the mental health status of raped women.All the investigated women had been raped many times during IS captivity. About 82% of the women were also physically tortured. Of the sample, 67% suffered from somatoform disorder, 53% suffered from depression, 39% from anxiety, and 28% from dissociation. The prevalence of PTSD in those with rape events of more than 20 times was 57% (95% CI = 35.1-65.9%), less than 20 times was 41% (95%, CI = 28.7-4.8% and less than 10 times 39% [95% CI = 28.2-41.8%], respectively.The IS captivity and wartime rapes had deep immediate and long-term consequences on the mental health of women survivors. The high prevalence of PTSD emphasizes the need for culturally sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic services to address the intermediate and long-term consequences of wartime rape.

The prevalence of mental illness in refugees and asylum seekers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The subgroup analysis for sex could not be conducted, owing to a lack of reported data. In the seven larger studies with 200 or more participants [ 25 , 37 , 39 , 42 , 43 , 51 , 53 ], the reported depression prevalence was 20.65% (95% CI 18.88–22.51), which was significantly lower ( p < 0.001) than in the smaller studies, 32.89% (95% CI 30.06–35.82). Duration of displacement had no significant impact on depression prevalence ( p = 0.17).…”

“…Nine studies mentioned the reliability or validity of the used instruments [ 23 , 35 , 36 , 39 , 41 , 44 – 46 , 51 ]. Thirteen studies conducted the assessment in the refugee’s native language [ 25 , 31 , 32 , 37 , 39 , 42 , 43 , 45 – 47 , 51 – 53 ]. Thirteen studies were conducted with assistance from interpreters [ 23 , 24 , 33 – 36 , 38 , 40 , 41 , 44 , 48 – 50 ].…”

“…Twenty-two studies of PTSD were identified ( n = 4,639) [ 23 – 25 , 32 , 33 , 35 , 36 , 38 – 40 , 42 – 53 ]. Participants had a weighted mean age of 35.2 years and 44% were women.…”

“…There was substantial heterogeneity between studies ( Fig 2 ), and subgroup analyses indicated PTSD prevalence was significantly higher for women (34.02%, 95% CI 31.12–37.01, p = 0.02), in the smaller studies ( n < 200) (37.35%, 95% CI 34.86–39.90, p < 0.001), those with refugee status (31.01%, 95% CI 29.52–32.54, p < 0.001), and those originating from Africa (48.25%, 95% CI 39.82–56.75, p < 0.001) ( Fig 3 ). In the eight largest studies with 200 participants or more, PTSD prevalence was significantly lower (29.30%, 95% CI 27.72–30.91, p < 0.001) [ 25 , 39 , 42 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 51 , 53 ]. Duration of displacement had no significant impact on PTSD prevalence ( p = 0.11).…”

Savaş Ve Kadin

“…Almanya'da IŞİD tarafından tecavüze uğramış 296 ezidi kadınla yapılan bir araştırmada; incelenen tüm kadınların, IŞİD tutsaklığı sırasında birçok kez tecavüze uğradığı, % 82'sinin fiziksel olarak işkence gördüğü belirtilmiştir. Bu kadınlarda daha sonraki yaşamlarında somatoform bozuk, depresyon, anksiyete, dissosiyasyon ve travma sonrası stres bozukluğu tespit edilmiştir (Kizilhan, 2018). Demokratik Kongo Cumhuriyeti kadınlar için en tehlikeli ülkelerin arasında sayılmaktadır.…”