trauma and refugees

Question 1

What is the UN Convention Against Torture’s (1984) definition of torture?

Answer 1

Infliction of severe mental/physical pain or suffering by or with consent of state authorities, for information, punishment, or intimidation

Question 2

What are the three main phases of refugee experience?

Answer 2

1. Premigration: Traumatic experiences in country of origin
2. Flight/Journey
3. Postmigration: Experiences in host country

Question 2

What are common causes of post-trauma distress in refugees?

Answer 2

Witnessing death/injury of loved ones
Life threats during escape
Survivor guilt/shame
Credibility issues
Negative asylum decisions
Threat of detention
Housing/poverty issues
Family separation
Racism

Question 2

What are the key formal assessment measures used?

Answer 2

Life Event Checklist (LEC): self-report of traumatic events
PCL-5: Assesses DSM-5 PTSD symptoms
ITQ: Assesses ICD-11 PTSD and Complex PTSD
PHQ-9, GAD-7, CORE-10, Dissociative Experience Scale

Question 3

What is Cultural Bereavement?

Answer 3

Experience of uprooting: loss of social structures, values, and self-identity; living in the past; guilt over abandoning homeland, pain as memories fade, intrusive memories, obligations to the dead, anxiety, and anger disrupting daily life⁠

Question 4

What are the three phases of treatment according to Grey & Young’s model?

Answer 4

1. Establish Safety and Trust
2. Trauma-Focused Therapy
3. Reintegration

Question 5

What are the main cross-cultural considerations when working with refugees?

Answer 5

Use of interpreters and maintaining consistency
Different symptom expressions
Difficulties with disclosure
Traditional healing frameworks
Mental health stigma
Cultural differences in understanding violence
Consider norms of both clients and interpreters

Question 6

What are the evidence-based trauma therapy approaches?

Answer 6

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Trauma-oriented CBT