The Effects of Traumatic and Multiple Loss on Psychopathology, Disability, and Quality of Life in Iraqi Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands

Abstract

Emerging evidence suggests that the loss of loved ones under traumatic circumstances is highly prevalent among refugees and asylum seekers. We evaluated the effects of traumatic and multiple losses of family members and friends on psychopathology, disability, and quality of life in Iraqi asylum seekers in the Netherlands, and investigated mediation of these effects through psychopathology. Respondents (N = 294) completed structured Arabic interviews. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The loss of a loved one was reported by 87.6% of the sample. Traumatic and multiple losses of family members independently predicted psychopathology, taking the effects of other traumatic events, postmigration stressors, and sociodemographic characteristics into account. Effects of traumatic and multiple losses on quality of life and disability were either partially or fully mediated by psychopathology. These findings highlight the need to evaluate and treat the effects of the loss of loved ones when working with asylum seekers and refugees as well as to incorporate grief-related psychopathology in diagnostic classifications.

Further validation of the Traumatic Grief Inventory-Self Report (TGI-SR): A measure of persistent complex bereavement disorder and prolonged grief disorder

“…That prevalence rates in the current Patient Sample were lower compared to the rates observed in our previous study (Boelen & Smid, 2017b) may be due to the fact that that earlier study included a higher number of refugees and asylum seekers (i.e. 29.1compared to 9.5% in the current study)-groups that are more vulnerable to multiple trauma and loss and subsequent psychopathology (Hengst, Smid, & Laban, 2018). The relatively low rates of PCBD and PGD in the Disaster-Bereaved Sample may be due to the fact that this sample included individuals with relatively high education and socialeconomic status-factors known to be associated with lower risk of distress (Burke & Neimeyer, 2013).…”

Prolonged grief disorder among asylum seekers in Germany: the influence of losses and residence status

“…Moreover, the rate of lost loved persons was very high. In an Iraqi asylum seeker sample in the Netherlands, the majority has suffered the loss of family members (87%), and friends (49%; Hengst et al, 2018). Thus, interpersonal loss seems to be a major stressor in the current refugee population in the EU.…”

“…multiple losses in a short period of time; Neimeyer & Holland, 2006) did not emerge as a risk factor (Morina et al, 2010;Schaal et al, 2010;Stammel et al, 2013). The differentiation of losses within family and friends might be a more suitable approach to examine the impact of multiple losses (Hengst et al, 2018;Stammel et al, 2013); particularly as the familial relationship to the deceased has been shown to affect PGD severity (Lobb et al, 2010).…”

“…Research suggested several risk factors for PGD after war and displacement, including age, gender, relationship to the deceased, and traumatic loss (Craig et al, 2008;Momartin et al, 2004;Morina, Rudari, Bleichhardt, & Prigerson, 2010;Schaal, Jacob, Dusingizemungu, & Elbert, 2010;Stammel et al, 2013). Although common among refugees (Hengst, Smid, & Laban, 2018), bereavement overload (i.e. multiple losses in a short period of time; Neimeyer & Holland, 2006) did not emerge as a risk factor (Morina et al, 2010;Schaal et al, 2010;Stammel et al, 2013).…”

The association between visa insecurity and mental health, disability and social engagement in refugees living in Australia

“…Past research has documented high levels of psychopathology amongst people seeking asylum (i.e. individuals who have applied for refugee status) residing in host countries (Heeren et al, 2012;Hengst, Smid, & Laban, 2018;Hocking, Kennedy, & Sundram, 2015;Ichikawa, Nakahara, & Wakai, 2006;Morgan, Melluish, & Welham, 2017;Premand et al, 2018). The few studies that have directly compared psychopathology between individuals with temporary status (both people seeking asylum and those who have been granted temporary protection visas) and refugees with permanent visas have found that rates of psychological disorders are considerably higher in the former (Momartin et al, 2006;Silove, Steel, McGorry, & Mohan, 1998;Steel et al, 2006a).…”