‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany
Background: Epidemiological studies have reported high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health care for this group, further knowledge about treatment preferences might be neces...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2019-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1684225 |
| _version_ | 1797954515558727680 |
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| author | Freyja Grupp Marie Rose Moro Urs M. Nater Sara Skandrani Ricarda Mewes |
| author_facet | Freyja Grupp Marie Rose Moro Urs M. Nater Sara Skandrani Ricarda Mewes |
| author_sort | Freyja Grupp |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Epidemiological studies have reported high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health care for this group, further knowledge about treatment preferences might be necessary. Objective: We aimed to provide insights into help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for PTSD held by asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Germany. Methods: To address this objective, we used a quantitative and qualitative methodological triangulation strategy based on a vignette describing symptoms of PTSD. In the quantitative part of the study, asylum seekers (n = 119), predominantly from Eritrea (n = 41), Somalia (n = 36), and Cameroon (n = 25), and a German comparison sample without a migration background (n = 120) completed the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). In the qualitative part, asylum seekers (n = 26) reviewed the results of the questionnaire survey within eight focus group discussions sampled from groups of the three main countries of origin. Results: Asylum seekers showed a high intention to seek religious, medical, and psychological treatment for symptoms of PTSD. However, asylum seekers indicated a higher preference to seek help from religious authorities and general practitioners, as well as a lower preference to enlist psychological and traditional help sources than Germans without a migration background. Furthermore, asylum seekers addressed structural and cultural barriers to seeking medical and psychological treatment. Conclusion: To facilitate access to local health care systems for asylum seekers and refugees, it might be crucial to develop public health campaigns in collaboration with religious communities. When treating asylum seekers and refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, practitioners should explore different religious and cultural frameworks for healing and recovery in order to signal understanding and acceptance of varying cultural contexts. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:19:51Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e6bec8f409548139fabd1b616b30a14 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2000-8066 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T23:19:51Z |
| publishDate | 2019-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Psychotraumatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e6bec8f409548139fabd1b616b30a142023-01-12T15:31:31ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEuropean Journal of Psychotraumatology2000-80662019-12-0110110.1080/20008198.2019.16842251684225‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in GermanyFreyja Grupp0Marie Rose Moro1Urs M. Nater2Sara Skandrani3Ricarda Mewes4University of MarburgUniversity of Paris DescartesUniversity of ViennaUniversity of Paris NanterreUniversity of ViennaBackground: Epidemiological studies have reported high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive mental health care for this group, further knowledge about treatment preferences might be necessary. Objective: We aimed to provide insights into help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for PTSD held by asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa living in Germany. Methods: To address this objective, we used a quantitative and qualitative methodological triangulation strategy based on a vignette describing symptoms of PTSD. In the quantitative part of the study, asylum seekers (n = 119), predominantly from Eritrea (n = 41), Somalia (n = 36), and Cameroon (n = 25), and a German comparison sample without a migration background (n = 120) completed the General Help-Seeking Questionnaire (GHSQ). In the qualitative part, asylum seekers (n = 26) reviewed the results of the questionnaire survey within eight focus group discussions sampled from groups of the three main countries of origin. Results: Asylum seekers showed a high intention to seek religious, medical, and psychological treatment for symptoms of PTSD. However, asylum seekers indicated a higher preference to seek help from religious authorities and general practitioners, as well as a lower preference to enlist psychological and traditional help sources than Germans without a migration background. Furthermore, asylum seekers addressed structural and cultural barriers to seeking medical and psychological treatment. Conclusion: To facilitate access to local health care systems for asylum seekers and refugees, it might be crucial to develop public health campaigns in collaboration with religious communities. When treating asylum seekers and refugees from Sub-Saharan Africa, practitioners should explore different religious and cultural frameworks for healing and recovery in order to signal understanding and acceptance of varying cultural contexts.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1684225asylum seekershealth carehelp-seekingpost-traumatic stress disorderrefugeessub-saharan africatrauma |
| spellingShingle | Freyja Grupp Marie Rose Moro Urs M. Nater Sara Skandrani Ricarda Mewes ‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany European Journal of Psychotraumatology asylum seekers health care help-seeking post-traumatic stress disorder refugees sub-saharan africa trauma |
| title | ‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany |
| title_full | ‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany |
| title_fullStr | ‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | ‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany |
| title_short | ‘Only God can promise healing.’: help-seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post-traumatic stress disorder among Sub-Saharan African asylum seekers in Germany |
| title_sort | only god can promise healing help seeking intentions and lay beliefs about cures for post traumatic stress disorder among sub saharan african asylum seekers in germany |
| topic | asylum seekers health care help-seeking post-traumatic stress disorder refugees sub-saharan africa trauma |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2019.1684225 |
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