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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

Published in:

01-09-2018 | Original Paper

Traumatic exposure, acculturative stress and cultural orientation: the influence on PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms among refugees

Authors: Dzenana Kartal, Nathan Alkemade, Maurice Eisenbruch, David Kissane

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 9/2018

Abstract

Objective

Acculturation studies conducted with refugees have predominantly concentrated on investigating the impact of acculturative stress on mental health, and have neglected to investigate the impact of cultural orientations towards the host and ethnic cultures. Furthermore, exposure to traumas is highly prevalent in refugees and strongly associated with mental health outcomes, however, rarely included in investigations of acculturative process of refugees.

Method

Using structural equation modelling, this study tested an integrated model of the relationship between traumatic exposure, acculturative stress, host and ethnic cultural orientations and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety symptoms among 138 Bosnian refugees resettled in Australia and Austria.

Results

The model showed an overall good fit and noteworthy amount of variance indicating that traumatic exposure is the strongest direct and indirect predictor of PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, acculturative stress was identified as a significant risk factor influencing host cultural orientation, mediating the effect of traumatic exposure on all mental health outcomes.

Conclusion

Acculturative stress and cultural and social stressors that are related to acculturation need to be addressed alongside provision of effective psychotherapy, especially since they are significant impediments to host cultural orientation and constructive engagement with mental health services in refugees.

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Title: Traumatic exposure, acculturative stress and cultural orientation: the influence on PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms among refugees
Authors: Dzenana Kartal
Nathan Alkemade
Maurice Eisenbruch
David Kissane
Publication date: 01-09-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 9/2018
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1532-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Traumatic exposure, acculturative stress and cultural orientation: the influence on PTSD, depressive and anxiety symptoms among refugees

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

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