The mental health of war-wounded refugees: an 8-year follow-up.
The complex nature of recent wars and armed conflicts has forced many war-injured persons into exile. To investigate their long-term mental health, three instruments for assessing mental health (HSCL-25, PTSS-10, and a Well-Being scale) were presented to 44 war-wounded refugees from nine different countries 8 years after arrival in Sweden. The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms was high and corresponds to findings in previous studies of refugee patient populations. A lower level of mental health was associated with higher education, unemployment, and poor physical health. The findings suggest a high psychiatric morbidity and a need for psychiatric interventions in this refugee group. Methodological issues to be considered in research on sequels of war traumas are discussed.
Hermansson
Ann-Charlotte
AC
Medical Center for Refugees, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden.
Timpka
Toomas
T
Thyberg
Mikael
M
D000328:Adult; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004522:Educational Status; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*