title: Complicated grief in help-seeking torture survivors in sub-Saharan African contexts.
abstract: Many help-seeking torture survivors in sub-Saharan Africa report sudden or violent bereavements, as well as risk factors associated with complicated grief. This mixed-methods article reviews 85 therapeutic client files from torture treatment centers in 3 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Thirty-nine clients had lost loved ones and were at greater risk for depression (effect size 0.65) and thoughts of suicide (OR = 4.99). Qualitative analysis of case histories and interviews with clients elaborate the links between torture and complicated grief. Recommendations are offered for the treatment of complicated grief in sub-Saharan torture survivors, and implications for assessment, timing, and treatment duration are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of the Witwatersrand.
authors.forename: Craig
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Higson-Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014104:Torture / Q000523:psychology*