INTRODUCTION: Bhutanese refugees may exhibit psychological distress (PD), post-traumatic stress (PTS), and suicidal ideation (SI), but little is known about predictors of these mental health problems. PURPOSE: To examine rates and predictors of PD, PTS, and SI among Bhutanese refugees. METHODS: Cross-sectional correlational study of 209 Bhutanese refugees in Midwestern United States. Data were collected using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist/Nepali version and Refugee Health Screener-15/PTS subscale and then analyzed using simultaneous multiple regression. RESULTS: Rates of PD, PTS, and SI were 18.7%, 8.1%, and 7.7%, respectively. Significant predictors of PD were a history of mental health treatment (p<.001) and fewer years of schooling (p = .032). Predictors of PTS were history of mental health treatment (p<.001), female gender (p = .016), fewer years of schooling (p = .012), and being single/previously married (p = .004). PTS predicted SI (ρ<.001). DISCUSSION: Health providers should routinely assess Bhutanese refugees' mental health status for timely further assessment and treatment.
INTRODUCTION: Bhutanese refugees may exhibit psychological distress (PD), post-traumatic stress (PTS), and suicidal ideation (SI), but little is known about predictors of these mental health problems. PURPOSE: To examine rates and predictors of PD, PTS, and SI among Bhutanese refugees. METHODS: Cross-sectional correlational study of 209 Bhutanese refugees in Midwestern United States. Data were collected using the Hopkins Symptom Checklist/Nepali version and Refugee Health Screener-15/PTS subscale and then analyzed using simultaneous multiple regression. RESULTS: Rates of PD, PTS, and SI were 18.7%, 8.1%, and 7.7%, respectively. Significant predictors of PD were a history of mental health treatment (p<.001) and fewer years of schooling (p = .032). Predictors of PTS were history of mental health treatment (p<.001), female gender (p = .016), fewer years of schooling (p = .012), and being single/previously married (p = .004). PTS predicted SI (ρ<.001). DISCUSSION: Health providers should routinely assess Bhutanese refugees' mental health status for timely further assessment and treatment.
Authors: Sarah Elizabeth Neville; Kira DiClemente-Bosco; Lila K Chamlagai; Mary Bunn; Jordan Freeman; Jenna M Berent; Bhuwan Gautam; Abdirahman Abdi; Theresa S Betancourt Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-29 Impact factor: 4.614