@article{ref1,
title="Comorbidity of posttraumatic stress disorder and depression in tortured, treatment-seeking refugees",
journal="Journal of Traumatic Stress",
year="2017",
author="Nickerson, Angela and Schick, Matthis and Schnyder, Ulrich and Bryant, Richard A. and Morina, Naser",
volume="30",
number="4",
pages="409-415",
abstract="Comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression is common in refugee groups; however, little is known about the predictors and correlates of comorbidity in treatment-seeking refugees. Participants in this study were 134 refugees resettled in Switzerland. Most participants were from Turkey, Iran, and Sri Lanka, and 92.7% had been exposed to torture. Self-report measures were implemented to assess PTSD, depression, mental and physical health-related quality of life (QoL), as well as pre- and postmigration experiences. <br><br>FINDINGS indicated that approximately half the sample met criteria for PTSD and depression, 33.6% met criteria for depression only, and only 2.2% met criteria for PTSD only. Several variables emerged as predictors of comorbidity in contrast to no diagnosis: female gender, odds ratio (OR) = 0.17; age, OR = 0.93; time in Switzerland, OR = 1.16; and trauma exposure, OR = 1.19. Postmigration stress was also associated with greater likelihood of comorbidity compared with no diagnosis, OR = 1.32, and a single diagnosis, OR = 1.14. Further, dual diagnosis was associated with significantly poorer mental health-related and physical health-related QoL (mental health-related QoL: dual diagnosis vs. single diagnosis, d = -0.52 and dual diagnosis vs. no diagnosis, d = -1.30; physical health-related QoL: dual diagnosis vs. single diagnosis, d = -0.73 and dual diagnosis vs. no diagnosis: d = -1.04). <br><br>FINDINGS indicated that comorbidity was highly prevalent in this sample of treatment-seeking refugees and was associated with a substantial impairment burden. Psychological interventions for refugees should consider the dual impact of PTSD and depression symptoms to optimally decrease distress and improve QoL in this vulnerable group.<br><br>Copyright © 2017 International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0894-9867",
doi="10.1002/jts.22205",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jts.22205"
}