A Comparison of Psychosocial Services for Enhancing Cultural Adaptation and Global Functioning for Immigrant Survivors of Torture

David E. Reed, Sita G. Patel, Tara Bagheri-Pele, Mina Dailami, Momachi Kapoor-Pabrai, Armina Husic, Sarita Kohli, Robert E. Wickham, Lisa M. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Forced migrants suffer from significant psychological distress. However, they often prioritize urgent practical resettlement needs over mental health needs. The present study used a quasi-experimental design to compare pathways of treatment for survivors of torture (N = 369) from 42 different counties receiving care from a refugee health clinic. Random intercept ANOVAs were used to compare combined case management services and psychological treatment (CM-PT) to case management services only (CM) on changes in cultural adaptation and global functioning over time. Results showed that both groups improved on each outcome. Importantly, the CM-PT group endorsed greater improvements in cultural adaptation (b = 0.28, 95% CI 0.14, 0.41, p ≤ 0.001) and global functioning (b = 3.29, 95% CI 1.33, 5.25, p = 0.001) compared to the CM group. These findings suggest that treatment for survivors of torture should be multifaceted and include case management and psychological treatment. Case management services alone may be beneficial when socio-cultural and resource barriers exist for mental health treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)968-978
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume25
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Cultural adaptation
  • Global functioning
  • Immigration
  • Refugees
  • Survivors of torture

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Comparison of Psychosocial Services for Enhancing Cultural Adaptation and Global Functioning for Immigrant Survivors of Torture'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this