Karin Wachter1,2, Sarah M Murray3, Brian J Hall3,4, Jeannie Annan5, Paul Bolton3, Judy Bass3. 1. a School of Social Work , Arizona State University , Phoenix , AZ , USA. 2. b Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault , The University of Texas at Austin , TX , USA. 3. c Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA. 4. d Department of Psychology , University of Macau , Taipa , Macau (SAR) , People's Republic of China. 5. e The International Rescue Committee , New York , NY , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to further understanding of the relationship between social support, internalized and perceived stigma, and mental health among women who experienced sexual violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). METHODS: Drawing from baseline survey data collected in eastern DRC, researchers conducted a secondary cross-sectional analysis using data from 744 participants. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted to examine associations between social support variables, felt stigma, and depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). RESULTS:Emotional support seeking and felt stigma were positively associated with increased symptom severity across all three mental health variables. Stigma modified associations between emotional support seeking and depression (t = -2.49, p = .013), anxiety (t = -3.08, p = .002), and PTSD (t = -2.94, p = .003). Increased frequency of emotional support seeking was associated with higher mental health symptoms of anxiety and PTSD among women experiencing all levels of stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing understanding of social support and stigma may inform research and intervention among Congolese forced migrant populations across circumstances and geographic locations. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to further understanding of the relationship between social support, internalized and perceived stigma, and mental health among women who experienced sexual violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). METHODS: Drawing from baseline survey data collected in eastern DRC, researchers conducted a secondary cross-sectional analysis using data from 744 participants. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted to examine associations between social support variables, felt stigma, and depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). RESULTS: Emotional support seeking and felt stigma were positively associated with increased symptom severity across all three mental health variables. Stigma modified associations between emotional support seeking and depression (t = -2.49, p = .013), anxiety (t = -3.08, p = .002), and PTSD (t = -2.94, p = .003). Increased frequency of emotional support seeking was associated with higher mental health symptoms of anxiety and PTSD among women experiencing all levels of stigma. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing understanding of social support and stigma may inform research and intervention among Congolese forced migrant populations across circumstances and geographic locations. Implications for practice and research are discussed.
Entities:
Keywords:
Social support; displaced populations; mental health; refugees; stigma
Authors: An Verelst; Sarah Bal; Maarten De Schryver; Nanc Say Kana; Eric Broekaert; Ilse Derluyn Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2020-06-19 Impact factor: 4.157