Patterns and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder in refugees: A latent class analysis

Savannah Minihan; Belinda J Liddell; Yulisha Byrow; Richard A Bryant; Angela Nickerson

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.010

Patterns and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder in refugees: A latent class analysis

J Affect Disord. 2018 May:232:252-259. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.010. Epub 2018 Feb 13.

Authors

Savannah Minihan¹, Belinda J Liddell¹, Yulisha Byrow¹, Richard A Bryant¹, Angela Nickerson²

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
² School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: anickerson@psy.unsw.edu.au.

PMID: 29499508
DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.010

Abstract

Background: Although elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been well-documented in refugees, no study has investigated the heterogeneity of DSM-5 PTSD symptomatology in such populations. This study aimed to determine whether there are unique patterns of DSM-5 defined PTSD symptomatology in refugees, and investigate whether factors characteristic of the refugee experience, including trauma exposure and post-migration stress, predict symptom profiles.

Methods: Participants were 246 refugees and asylum-seekers from an Arabic-, English-, Farsi-, or Tamil-speaking background who had been resettled in Australia. Participants completed measures of post-migration living difficulties, trauma exposure, PTSD symptoms and functional disability. Latent class analysis was used to identify PTSD symptom profiles, and predictors of class membership were elucidated via multinomial logistic regression.

Results: Four classes were identified: a high-PTSD class (21.3%), a high-re-experiencing/avoidance class (15.3%), a moderate-PTSD class (23%), and a no PTSD class (40.3%). Trauma exposure and post-migration stress significantly predicted class membership and classes differed in degree of functional disability.

Limitations: The current study employed a cross-sectional design, which precluded inferences regarding the stability of classes of PTSD symptomatology.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence for distinct patterns of PTSD symptomatology in refugees. We identified a novel class, characterized by high-re-experiencing and avoidance symptoms, as well as classes characterized by pervasive, moderate, and no symptomatology. Trauma exposure and post-migration stress differentially contributed to the emergence of these profiles. Individuals with high and moderate probability of PTSD symptoms evidenced substantial disability. These results support conceptualizations of PTSD as a heterogeneous construct, and highlight the importance of considering sub-clinical symptom presentations, as well as the post-migration environment, in clinical contexts.

Keywords: Disability; Post-migration stress; Posttraumatic stress disorder; Refugees; Trauma.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Africa, Eastern / ethnology
Aged
Asia / ethnology
Australia / epidemiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Refugees / psychology*
Refugees / statistics & numerical data*
Risk Factors
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / diagnosis
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
Young Adult