The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands
Aims of the study: After arriving in host countries, most refugees are confronted with numerous post-migration stressors (e.g., separation from family, discrimination, and employment difficulties). Post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) significantly contribute to the development and persistence...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2023-11-01
|
| Series: | Comprehensive Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010440X23000585 |
| _version_ | 1827781838956920832 |
|---|---|
| author | Julia Spaaij Anne M. de Graaff Aemal Akhtar Nikolai Kiselev David McDaid Hanspeter Moergeli Monique C. Pfaltz Matthis Schick Ulrich Schnyder Richard A. Bryant Pim Cuijpers Marit Sijbrandij Naser Morina |
| author_facet | Julia Spaaij Anne M. de Graaff Aemal Akhtar Nikolai Kiselev David McDaid Hanspeter Moergeli Monique C. Pfaltz Matthis Schick Ulrich Schnyder Richard A. Bryant Pim Cuijpers Marit Sijbrandij Naser Morina |
| author_sort | Julia Spaaij |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aims of the study: After arriving in host countries, most refugees are confronted with numerous post-migration stressors (e.g., separation from family, discrimination, and employment difficulties). Post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) significantly contribute to the development and persistence of mental disorders. Effective treatment approaches focusing on reducing post-migration stress are urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a brief psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+), on PMLDs among Syrian refugees in two European countries. Methods: We merged data from two single-blind feasibility trials with Syrian refugees experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress and impaired functioning in Switzerland (N = 59) and the Netherlands (N = 60). Participants were randomised to receive either five sessions of PM+ or an enhanced care-as-usual control condition. PMLDs were assessed at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. To estimate treatment effect on PMLD, linear mixed model analysis was performed. Results: Three months after the intervention, participants in the PM+ condition reported significantly fewer PMLDs compared to the control condition. Further analyses at item-level showed that interpersonal and family related PMLDs, such as “worries about family back home” significantly improved over time in the PM+ condition. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that brief psychological interventions have the potential to reduce PMLDs in refugees and asylum seekers. The reduction of post-migration stress in turn may subsequently lead to an overall reduction in psychological distress.Clinical Trial Numbers: BASEC Nr. 2017–0117 (Swiss trial) and NL61361.029.17, 7 September 2017 (Dutch trial). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:24:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b46ab8d058fb458ba68544b53440c52e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0010-440X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T15:24:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Comprehensive Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-b46ab8d058fb458ba68544b53440c52e2023-10-28T05:06:15ZengElsevierComprehensive Psychiatry0010-440X2023-11-01127152421The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the NetherlandsJulia Spaaij0Anne M. de Graaff1Aemal Akhtar2Nikolai Kiselev3David McDaid4Hanspeter Moergeli5Monique C. Pfaltz6Matthis Schick7Ulrich Schnyder8Richard A. Bryant9Pim Cuijpers10Marit Sijbrandij11Naser Morina12Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsSchool of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Division of Insurance Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, SwedenDepartment of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; PluSport, Umbrella Organization of Swiss Disabled Sports, Volketswil, Switzerland; Swiss Research Institute of Public Health and Addiction (ISGF), University of Zürich, Zurich, SwitzerlandCare Policy and Evaluation Centre, Department of Health Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United KingdomDepartment of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandDepartment of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Mid Sweden University, Department of Psychology and Social Work, Östersund, SwedenDepartment of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandUniversity of Zurich, Zurich, SwitzerlandSchool of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, AustraliaDepartment of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsDepartment of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the NetherlandsDepartment of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Corresponding author at: Department of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Culmannstrasse 8, Zurich CH-8091, Switzerland.Aims of the study: After arriving in host countries, most refugees are confronted with numerous post-migration stressors (e.g., separation from family, discrimination, and employment difficulties). Post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) significantly contribute to the development and persistence of mental disorders. Effective treatment approaches focusing on reducing post-migration stress are urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a brief psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+), on PMLDs among Syrian refugees in two European countries. Methods: We merged data from two single-blind feasibility trials with Syrian refugees experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress and impaired functioning in Switzerland (N = 59) and the Netherlands (N = 60). Participants were randomised to receive either five sessions of PM+ or an enhanced care-as-usual control condition. PMLDs were assessed at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. To estimate treatment effect on PMLD, linear mixed model analysis was performed. Results: Three months after the intervention, participants in the PM+ condition reported significantly fewer PMLDs compared to the control condition. Further analyses at item-level showed that interpersonal and family related PMLDs, such as “worries about family back home” significantly improved over time in the PM+ condition. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that brief psychological interventions have the potential to reduce PMLDs in refugees and asylum seekers. The reduction of post-migration stress in turn may subsequently lead to an overall reduction in psychological distress.Clinical Trial Numbers: BASEC Nr. 2017–0117 (Swiss trial) and NL61361.029.17, 7 September 2017 (Dutch trial).http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010440X23000585RefugeesCommon mental disordersPost-migration living difficultiesExile-related stressorsProblem management plusPsychosocial interventions |
| spellingShingle | Julia Spaaij Anne M. de Graaff Aemal Akhtar Nikolai Kiselev David McDaid Hanspeter Moergeli Monique C. Pfaltz Matthis Schick Ulrich Schnyder Richard A. Bryant Pim Cuijpers Marit Sijbrandij Naser Morina The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands Comprehensive Psychiatry Refugees Common mental disorders Post-migration living difficulties Exile-related stressors Problem management plus Psychosocial interventions |
| title | The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands |
| title_full | The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands |
| title_fullStr | The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands |
| title_short | The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands |
| title_sort | effect of a low level psychological intervention pm on post migration living difficulties results from two studies in switzerland and in the netherlands |
| topic | Refugees Common mental disorders Post-migration living difficulties Exile-related stressors Problem management plus Psychosocial interventions |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010440X23000585 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT juliaspaaij theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT annemdegraaff theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT aemalakhtar theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT nikolaikiselev theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT davidmcdaid theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT hanspetermoergeli theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT moniquecpfaltz theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT matthisschick theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT ulrichschnyder theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT richardabryant theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT pimcuijpers theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT maritsijbrandij theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT nasermorina theeffectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT juliaspaaij effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT annemdegraaff effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT aemalakhtar effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT nikolaikiselev effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT davidmcdaid effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT hanspetermoergeli effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT moniquecpfaltz effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT matthisschick effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT ulrichschnyder effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT richardabryant effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT pimcuijpers effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT maritsijbrandij effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands AT nasermorina effectofalowlevelpsychologicalinterventionpmonpostmigrationlivingdifficultiesresultsfromtwostudiesinswitzerlandandinthenetherlands |