The impact of the refugee decision on the trajectory of PTSD, anxiety, and depressive symptoms among asylum seekers: A longitudinal study

Authors

  • Derrick Silove, MBChB (Hons I), MD, FRANZCP
  • Zachary Steel, MPsych(clinical), BA(Hons)
  • Ina Susljik, BA, PDip(psychol)
  • Naomi Frommer, BA(Hons), LLB
  • Celia Loneragan, BA(Hons)
  • Tien Chey, MAppstat
  • Robert Brooks, PhD
  • Dominique le Touze, BA(Hons), MSc
  • Mariano Ceollo, BA, MPsych
  • Mitchell Smith, MBBS
  • Elizabeth Harris, MPH
  • Richard Bryant, PhD

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2007.0041

Keywords:

refugees, asylum seekers, trauma, PTSD, postmigration stress, migration, policy

Abstract

Objective: To examine prospectively the trajectory of trauma-related psychiatric symptoms and disability amongst asylum seekers over the course of the refugee determination process. To identify the direct impact of the refugee decision on psychiatric symptoms by adjusting for other variables, namely sociodemographic characteristics, past trauma, and ongoing postmigration stresses.
Design: A prospective cohort study of asylum seekers recruited from a random sample of immigration agents in Sydney,Australia.
Setting: Consecutive asylum seekers were referred for interview by immigration agents. Interviews were undertaken after the initial application and on average, 3.8 months after the refugee decision.
Measures: Measures assessed premigration trauma and postmigration stressors. Mental health status was assessed using the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the Hopkins Symptom Checklist- 25. Functional impairment was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form 12.
Results: Sixty-two of 73 asylum seekers were retained at follow-up. The accepted (16) and rejected (46) groups did not differ on premigration trauma or baseline psychiatric symptoms. Postdecision, the accepted group showed substantial improvements in posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and in mental health functioning, whereas the rejected group maintained high levels of symptoms on all psychiatric indices.
Conclusions: Establishing secure residency status for asylum seekers may be important to their recovery from trauma-related psychiatric symptoms. The practical and theoretical implications are discussed.

Author Biographies

Derrick Silove, MBChB (Hons I), MD, FRANZCP

School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Zachary Steel, MPsych(clinical), BA(Hons)

School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Ina Susljik, BA, PDip(psychol)

School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Naomi Frommer, BA(Hons), LLB

Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Celia Loneragan, BA(Hons)

Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Tien Chey, MAppstat

Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Robert Brooks, PhD

Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Dominique le Touze, BA(Hons), MSc

Centre for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Mariano Ceollo, BA, MPsych

Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), New South Wales, Carramar, Sydney, Australia.

Mitchell Smith, MBBS

NSW Refugee Health Service, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Elizabeth Harris, MPH

Dlp Social Work, Dip ED, Centre for Health Equity, Training, Research and Evaluation, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Sydney, Australia.

Richard Bryant, PhD

School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

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Published

11/01/2007

How to Cite

Silove, MBChB (Hons I), MD, FRANZCP, D., Z. Steel, MPsych(clinical), BA(Hons), I. Susljik, BA, PDip(psychol), N. Frommer, BA(Hons), LLB, C. Loneragan, BA(Hons), T. Chey, MAppstat, R. Brooks, PhD, D. le Touze, BA(Hons), MSc, M. Ceollo, BA, MPsych, M. Smith, MBBS, E. Harris, MPH, and R. Bryant, PhD. “The Impact of the Refugee Decision on the Trajectory of PTSD, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms Among Asylum Seekers: A Longitudinal Study”. American Journal of Disaster Medicine, vol. 2, no. 6, Nov. 2007, pp. 321-9, doi:10.5055/ajdm.2007.0041.

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 6 (2007): November/December

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Articles

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