Fear of cultural extinction and psychopathology among Mandaean refugees: an exploratory path analysis.
The Mandaeans are a small religious community originating from Iraq and Iran who are facing the possibility of cultural extinction within the next few generations. This study aimed to examine the relationships between life experiences, psychopathology and fear of cultural extinction in Mandaean refugees. A survey was conducted of 315 adult Iraqi Mandaean refugees living in Australia. Past traumatic experiences and current resettlement difficulties were assessed. Mental health outcomes were also examined, including measures of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Fear of cultural extinction was measured by items developed in consultation with the Mandaean community. A path analysis was employed to investigate the relationship between trauma, living difficulties, PTSD, depression, and fear of cultural extinction. Results indicated that trauma and living difficulties impacted indirectly on fear of cultural extinction, while PTSD (and not depression) directly predicted levels of anxiety about the Mandaean culture ceasing to exist. The current findings indicate that past trauma and symptoms of posttraumatic stress contribute to fear of cultural extinction. Exposure to human rights violations enacted on the basis of religion has significant mental health consequences that extend beyond PTSD. The relationship between perception of threat, PTSD, and fear of cultural extinction is considered in the context of cognitive models of traumatic stress. Government immigration policy must prioritize the reunification of small, endangered groups to sustain cultural traditions. Treatment interventions implemented with cultural groups facing extinction should take into consideration anxiety about loss of culture.
Nickerson
Angela
A
School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia. anickerson@psy.unsw.edu.au
Bryant
Richard A
RA
Brooks
Robert
R
Steel
Zachary
Z
Silove
Derrick
D
D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000208:ethnology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000208:ethnology; D007493:Iraq / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011599:Psychopathology; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Psychiatry. 2007 Winter;70(4):283-315; discussion 316-69
18181708
Am J Psychiatry. 1987 Apr;144(4):497-500
3565621
J Consult Clin Psychol. 2007 Oct;75(5):812-5
17907863
J Nerv Ment Dis. 1992 Feb;180(2):111-6
1737972
JAMA. 1999 Aug 4;282(5):433-9
10442658
Br J Psychiatry. 1998 Jan;172:90-4
9534840
Br J Clin Psychol. 2005 Nov;44(Pt 4):591-8
16368036
Lancet. 2001 May 5;357(9266):1436-7
11356469
Soc Sci Med. 2001 Nov;53(10):1321-34
11676403
Behav Res Ther. 2005 Dec;43(12):1577-85
16239152
Behav Res Ther. 2001 Sep;39(9):1063-84
11520012
Soc Sci Med. 1991;33(6):673-80
1957187
Compr Psychiatry. 2002 Jan-Feb;43(1):49-55
11788919
Br J Psychiatry. 1997 Apr;170:351-7
9246254
Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2001 Nov-Dec;23(6):337-44
11738465
Br J Psychiatry. 2006 Jan;188:58-64
16388071
Am J Orthopsychiatry. 2006 Oct;76(4):409-22
17209709
JAMA. 1998 Aug 5;280(5):443-8
9701080
Br J Psychiatry. 1998 Dec;173:482-8
9926076
Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2000 Nov-Dec;22(6):437-44
11072060
Int J Ment Health Syst. 2007 Oct 04;1(1):5
18271989
Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1998 Mar;97(3):175-81
9543304
Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Nov;148(11):1548-51
1928471
J Anxiety Disord. 2008;22(3):555-60
17467228
J Nerv Ment Dis. 1993 Feb;181(2):113-22
8426168
Behav Res Ther. 2005 Apr;43(4):413-31
15701354
Psychol Sci. 2005 Oct;16(10):749-52
16181434
Behav Res Ther. 2000 Apr;38(4):319-45
10761279
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2001 May;58(5):475-82
11343527
Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2006 Feb;40(2):179-87
16476137
Nord J Psychiatry. 2006;60(1):51-7
16500800
J Affect Disord. 2004 Jun;80(2-3):231-8
15207936
Clin Psychol Rev. 2003 May;23(3):501-22
12729682
JAMA. 2001 Aug 1;286(5):546-54
11476656
J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2005 Aug;12(4):423-30
16011497
Lancet. 2005 Apr 9-15;365(9467):1309-14
15823380
Psychol Rev. 2000 Apr;107(2):261-88
10789197
J Trauma Stress. 2008 Apr;21(2):199-208
18404641
JAMA. 2005 Aug 3;294(5):571-9
16077051
Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2005 Apr;111(4):300-9
15740466
J Trauma Stress. 1999 Jul;12(3):421-35
10467553