Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study
Abstract Background This study describes the trauma experiences of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia and presents a model of how SMI and trauma exposure interact to reduce functioning and quality of life in this setting. Methods A total of 53 participants living and working in a ru...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-12-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00616-4 |
| _version_ | 1797398174913003520 |
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| author | Lauren C. Ng Kimberly Hook Maji Hailemariam Medhin Selamu Abebaw Fekadu Charlotte Hanlon |
| author_facet | Lauren C. Ng Kimberly Hook Maji Hailemariam Medhin Selamu Abebaw Fekadu Charlotte Hanlon |
| author_sort | Lauren C. Ng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study describes the trauma experiences of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia and presents a model of how SMI and trauma exposure interact to reduce functioning and quality of life in this setting. Methods A total of 53 participants living and working in a rural district in southern Ethiopia were interviewed: 18 people living with SMI, 21 caregivers, and 14 primary health care providers. Results Many participants reported that exposure to traumatic and stressful events led to SMI, exacerbated SMI symptoms, and increased caregiver stress and distress. In addition, SMI symptoms and caregiver desperation, stress or stigma were also reported to increase the possibility of trauma exposure. Conclusions Results suggest it is incumbent upon health professionals and the broader health community to view trauma exposure (broadly defined) as a public health problem that affects all, particularly individuals with SMI. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:21:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e64096481ea14c5896d674ac6d058a83 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-4458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:21:57Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Mental Health Systems |
| spelling | doaj.art-e64096481ea14c5896d674ac6d058a832023-12-10T12:07:56ZengBMCInternational Journal of Mental Health Systems1752-44582023-12-0117111810.1186/s13033-023-00616-4Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative studyLauren C. Ng0Kimberly Hook1Maji Hailemariam2Medhin Selamu3Abebaw Fekadu4Charlotte Hanlon5Department of Psychology, University of California Los AngelesDepartment of Psychiatry, Boston Medical CenterDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State UniversityCenter for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health SciencesCenter for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health SciencesCenter for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health SciencesAbstract Background This study describes the trauma experiences of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia and presents a model of how SMI and trauma exposure interact to reduce functioning and quality of life in this setting. Methods A total of 53 participants living and working in a rural district in southern Ethiopia were interviewed: 18 people living with SMI, 21 caregivers, and 14 primary health care providers. Results Many participants reported that exposure to traumatic and stressful events led to SMI, exacerbated SMI symptoms, and increased caregiver stress and distress. In addition, SMI symptoms and caregiver desperation, stress or stigma were also reported to increase the possibility of trauma exposure. Conclusions Results suggest it is incumbent upon health professionals and the broader health community to view trauma exposure (broadly defined) as a public health problem that affects all, particularly individuals with SMI.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00616-4Severe mental illness (SMI)Trauma; Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)Quality of life |
| spellingShingle | Lauren C. Ng Kimberly Hook Maji Hailemariam Medhin Selamu Abebaw Fekadu Charlotte Hanlon Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study International Journal of Mental Health Systems Severe mental illness (SMI) Trauma; Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) Quality of life |
| title | Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low income country a qualitative study |
| topic | Severe mental illness (SMI) Trauma; Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) Quality of life |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-023-00616-4 |
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