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Post‐traumatic stress disorder and subthreshold post‐traumatic stress disorder in recent male asylum seekers: An expected but overlooked “European” epidemic
Author(s) -
Sacchetti Emilio,
Garozzo Andrea,
Mussoni Christian,
Liotta Daniele,
Novelli Gaia,
Tamussi Elena,
Deste Giacomo,
Vita Antonio
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
stress and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.009
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1532-2998
pISSN - 1532-3005
DOI - 10.1002/smi.2910
Subject(s) - psychiatry , traumatic stress , checklist , refugee , clinical psychology , psychological intervention , psychology , medicine , mental health , archaeology , cognitive psychology , history
The literature shows an increased risk for post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among illegal migrants. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of PTSD, subthreshold PTSD, the degree of disability, and differences in sociodemographic and anamnestic characteristics associated with these clinical conditions in a sample of newly arrived migrants. Two hundred male asylum seekers from West sub‐Saharan Africa were evaluated for traumatic life events, PTSD symptoms, and disability through the Life Events Checklist for DSM‐5 (LEC‐5), the Primary Care PTSD Screen, the PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5, and the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). The current prevalence of PTSD and subthreshold PTSD was 9.5% and 12.0%, respectively. PTSD and subthreshold PTSD subgroups presented higher WHODAS 2.0 scores and LEC‐5 events , an over‐representation of individuals with childhood adversities and an excess of premigration psychiatric contacts unrelated to PTSD spectrum disorders and peri‐migration offences. Witnessing a traumatic event and disability in understanding and communication predicted both the presence of PTSD symptoms and PTSD status. PTSD spectrum disorders should be considered among the clinical emergencies associated with asylum seeker condition, and targeted interventions also involving the host citizens should be predisposed.