Mathilde Sengoelge1, Charisse M Johnson-Singh2, Ellenor Mittendorfer-Rutz3, Marjan Vaez4, Fredrik Saboonchi4. 1. Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Red Cross University College, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: mathilde.sengoelge@ki.se. 2. Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Red Cross University College, Stockholm, Sweden. 3. Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 4. Department of Health Sciences, Swedish Red Cross University College, Stockholm, Sweden; Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Many refugees have been subjected to pre-migratory trauma. Evidence is needed to address the heterogeneity within refugee populations in regard to patterns of multiple trauma exposures. This study identified subgroups within a refugee population displaying different profiles of multiple trauma exposures and assessed sociodemographic predictors and differences in mental health symptom severity across these classes. METHODS: Study population consisted of 1215 refugees from Syria resettled in Sweden. Latent class analysis 3-step method for modelling predictors and outcomes and a class-specific weighted multigroup approach were used to identify classes of refugees using self-reported data on violent and non-violent trauma exposures, sociodemographic variables and symptom severity scores for depression, anxiety and PTSD. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: class 1 'multiple violent and non-violent trauma' (39.3%, n = 546); class 2 'witnessing violence and multiple non-violent trauma' (40.8%, n = 569); and class 3 'low multiple non-violent trauma' (20.1%, n = 281). Trauma exposure and gender significantly predicted class membership. Male gender and highest severity of mental ill health defined class 1. Female gender predicted higher mental ill health within classes 1 and 2. Across all three classes living with a partner was associated with lower severity of mental ill health regardless of trauma exposure classes. CONCLUSIONS: There are distinct patterns within refugee populations concerning exposure to multiple trauma. Violence is a primary marker for higher likelihood of multiple trauma exposures and severity of mental health. Gender predisposes individuals to trauma exposure and its outcomes differentially.
OBJECTIVE: Many refugees have been subjected to pre-migratory trauma. Evidence is needed to address the heterogeneity within refugee populations in regard to patterns of multiple trauma exposures. This study identified subgroups within a refugee population displaying different profiles of multiple trauma exposures and assessed sociodemographic predictors and differences in mental health symptom severity across these classes. METHODS: Study population consisted of 1215 refugees from Syria resettled in Sweden. Latent class analysis 3-step method for modelling predictors and outcomes and a class-specific weighted multigroup approach were used to identify classes of refugees using self-reported data on violent and non-violent trauma exposures, sociodemographic variables and symptom severity scores for depression, anxiety and PTSD. RESULTS: Three classes were identified: class 1 'multiple violent and non-violent trauma' (39.3%, n = 546); class 2 'witnessing violence and multiple non-violent trauma' (40.8%, n = 569); and class 3 'low multiple non-violent trauma' (20.1%, n = 281). Trauma exposure and gender significantly predicted class membership. Male gender and highest severity of mental ill health defined class 1. Female gender predicted higher mental ill health within classes 1 and 2. Across all three classes living with a partner was associated with lower severity of mental ill health regardless of trauma exposure classes. CONCLUSIONS: There are distinct patterns within refugee populations concerning exposure to multiple trauma. Violence is a primary marker for higher likelihood of multiple trauma exposures and severity of mental health. Gender predisposes individuals to trauma exposure and its outcomes differentially.
Authors: Magnus Helgesson; Syed Rahman; Fredrik Saboonchi; Ellenor Mittendorfer Rutz Journal: J Epidemiol Community Health Date: 2021-01-20 Impact factor: 3.710
Authors: Øivind Solberg; Mathilde Sengoelge; Alexander Nissen; Fredrik Saboonchi Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-01-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: A Nickerson; Y Byrow; A Rasmussen; M O'Donnell; R Bryant; S Murphy; V Mau; T McMahon; G Benson; B Liddell Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2021-02-26 Impact factor: 6.892