BACKGROUND: The prevalence and course of mental disorders among Vietnamese refugees were studied, using a model including variables from different research traditions. METHOD: A consecutive community cohort of 145 Vietnamese boat refugees aged 15 and above were personally interviewed on their arrival in Norway and three years later. RESULTS: Three years later, there was, unexpectedly, no decline in self-rated psychological distress (SCL-90-R), almost one in four suffered from psychiatric disorder and the prevalence of depression was 17.7% (Present State Examination). Female gender, extreme traumatic stress in Vietnam, negative life events in Norway, lack of a close confidant and chronic family separation were identified as predictors of psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of war and persecution were long-lasting, and compounded by adversity factors in exile. A uniform course of improvement in mental health after resettlement cannot be expected in all contexts. The affected refugees need systematic rehabilitation.
BACKGROUND: The prevalence and course of mental disorders among Vietnamese refugees were studied, using a model including variables from different research traditions. METHOD: A consecutive community cohort of 145 Vietnamese boat refugees aged 15 and above were personally interviewed on their arrival in Norway and three years later. RESULTS: Three years later, there was, unexpectedly, no decline in self-rated psychological distress (SCL-90-R), almost one in four suffered from psychiatric disorder and the prevalence of depression was 17.7% (Present State Examination). Female gender, extreme traumatic stress in Vietnam, negative life events in Norway, lack of a close confidant and chronic family separation were identified as predictors of psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of war and persecution were long-lasting, and compounded by adversity factors in exile. A uniform course of improvement in mental health after resettlement cannot be expected in all contexts. The affected refugees need systematic rehabilitation.
Authors: Annette A M Gerritsen; Inge Bramsen; Walter Devillé; Loes H M van Willigen; Johannes E Hovens; Henk M van der Ploeg Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2006-01-01 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Jessica R Goodkind; Julia M Hess; Brian Isakson; Marianna LaNoue; Ann Githinji; Natalie Roche; Kathryn Vadnais; Danielle P Parker Journal: Psychol Serv Date: 2013-12-23