The psychological impact of genocide on the Yazidis

Abstract

BackgroundThe genocide against the Yazidis by the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) in the Sinjar area of Northern Iraq has costed many lives and has also caused a psychological long-term impact in this minority. This impact can be seen among individual survivors. Additionally, there is a large number of direct and indirect victims and for this reason, the impact can also be observed on the level of the group and society in this region at large.MethodologyThe research examines three different population groups (Yazidis members who had been exposed to violence by terrorist group actions, those not exposed to this experience as they were living in an area not directly exposed to ISIS violence, and a control group of non – Yazidi general population members). In total, 425 participants (age range 15–78) took part in the study and participated in interviews using standard scales to measure general physical and mental health.ResultsThe results demonstrate that psychological stress and suicidality are higher among the Yazidis survivors of violence than in the other Yazidi participants.ConclusionPsychological disorders after a genocide and war in post-conflict populations should receive more attention in the planning of mental health care and prevention and should be seen as a major problem, especially in camp settings and displaced persons besides the usual increased prevalence of posttraumatic stress and other disorders covered by research so far in this context.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: The Influence of the Environmental Context and Analysis of Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory and Glycemic Markers in Women Living in Kurdistan Regional Government-Iraq

“…The genocide perpetrated by ISIS in Sinjar, northern Iraq, has resulted in numerous deaths and long-lasting mental health issues, including PTSD, particularly among Yazidi women and girls. The aforementioned effect is observed in surviving female individuals [ 19 ]. Since the ISIS attack occurred in 2014 and many Yazidis are still living inside IDP camps without knowing when they will be able to return to their homeland, some studies have started to investigate the physical and mental health status of the Yazidi women who have survived the genocide-related events [ 20 ].…”

Suicidality after the genocide against the Yazidi in Iraq in 2014.

“…Among refugees and people living in refugee camps, suicidal thoughts are one of the most common mental health problems (Hermans et al, 2017; Kizilhan et al, 2023). However, there is limited research on suicidal behavior in populations who remain displaced for the long term in postconflict areas (Haroz et al, 2018; Mugisha et al, 2017).…”

“…In a study with 416 Yazidi women and girls (65 of whom had survived sexual enslavement) in IDP camps in the KRI, more than 80% and almost all survivors who had experienced enslavement fulfilled criteria for PTSD (Ibrahim et al, 2018). It has been shown that formerly enslaved Yazidi females suffer from higher prevalence of mental stress (97.1%), PTSD (90.6%), suicidal ideation (38.1%), depression (36.7%), and general anxiety symptoms (37.4%; Kizilhan et al, 2023; Taha & Slewa-Younan, 2020). Yazidi women who were held captive and sexually abused by ISIS in the KRI had a higher prevalence of dissociative seizures (43.7%), somatization disorder (38.7%), depressive disorders (75%), and anxiety disorders (62.5%) than those who were not held captive and not sexually abused (Kizilhan, Steger, et al, 2020).…”

“…Yazidi women who were held captive and sexually abused by ISIS in the KRI had a higher prevalence of dissociative seizures (43.7%), somatization disorder (38.7%), depressive disorders (75%), and anxiety disorders (62.5%) than those who were not held captive and not sexually abused (Kizilhan, Steger, et al, 2020). Among those who had been sexually abused, 67% suffered from somatoform disorder, 53% from depression, 39% from anxiety, and 28% from dissociation (Kizilhan, 2018; Kizilhan et al, 2023).…”

“…To date, there is still little research about the psychological state of Yazidis in refugee camps in Northern Iraq and the traumatic consequences of the attack by ISIS against them (Kizilhan et al, 2023; e.g., Kizilhan, Friedl, et al, 2020; Kizilhan, Steger, et al, 2020). The study therefore aims at investigating the relationship between psychological stress and suicidality specifically in Yazidi refugee camps in Iraq after surviving a genocide in 2014, notably by considering the social and political factors explained above and the increased psychological stress and suicide rates in the already traumatized Yazidi population in their homeland.…”