Rates and correlates of psychological distress and PTSD among persons with physical disabilities in Cambodia

Alan Maddock; Paul Best; Nil Ean; Cherie Armour; Nerrolyn Ramstrand

doi:10.1186/s12939-023-01842-5

Rates and correlates of psychological distress and PTSD among persons with physical disabilities in Cambodia

Int J Equity Health. 2023 Feb 10;22(1):30. doi: 10.1186/s12939-023-01842-5.

Authors

Alan Maddock¹, Paul Best², Nil Ean³, Cherie Armour⁴, Nerrolyn Ramstrand⁵

Affiliations

¹ School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland.
² School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland. p.best@qub.ac.uk.
³ School of Psychology, The Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
⁴ School of Psychology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
⁵ School of Health and Welfare, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.

Abstract

Background: Compared to the general population, persons with disabilities are at increased risk of poor mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the rates and correlates of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among persons with physical disabilities in Cambodia.

Methods: From July to December 2021 data were collected as part of a mental health screening programme for persons with physical disabilities who access prosthetic and orthotic services. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler-10 (K-10) and PTSD using the PC-PTSD-5. Bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with levels of psychological distress and PTSD among this population.

Results: Our study found a high prevalence of psychological distress and PTSD in this patient cohort. Of the 213 participants, 31.5% were likely to be experiencing mild to moderate psychological distress indicative of a mental health disorder, with 13.6% likely to have a severe mental health disorder. Sixty-five percent of patients reported experiencing PTSD symptoms, with forty-six percent meeting the criteria for probable PTSD. Psychological distress was associated with pathological worry, rumination, and facets of mindfulness. Rumination and pathological worry were found to be significant predictors of psychological distress. PTSD symptoms were associated with pathological worry but not facets of mindfulness or rumination. Facets of mindfulness and pathological worry were found to be significant predictors of PTSD.

Conclusion: Integration of mental health services within the disability sector is required to address psychological distress and PTSD symptoms among people with physical disabilities in Cambodia. Health system interventions, such as screening, referral, and the training of health providers, need to be strengthened. Further studies focussing on the psychosocial determinants of mental health of persons with disabilities in Cambodia are required.

Keywords: Cambodia; Mental Health; PTSD; Physical Disability; Psychological Distress.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Cambodia / epidemiology
Disabled Persons* / psychology
Humans
Mental Health
Psychological Distress*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* / epidemiology
Stress, Psychological / psychology