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Suicidal Ideation and Severity of Distress among Refugees Residing in Asylum Accommodations in Sweden

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Leiler

    (Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Michael Hollifield

    (War Survivors Institute, Long Beach, CA 90815, USA)

  • Elisabet Wasteson

    (Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

  • Anna Bjärtå

    (Department of Psychology and Social Work, Mid Sweden University, 831 25 Östersund, Sweden)

Abstract

Refugees worldwide suffer high levels of distress and are at increased risk for death by suicide. The Refugee Health Screener (RHS) was developed to screen for emotional distress among refugees and can be used to assess distress severity. This paper examines the association between distress severity and suicidal ideation in a sample of refugees residing in asylum accommodations. Data from the RHS and item 9 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was analyzed. Results showed that individuals at moderate and severe levels of distress were much more likely to exhibit suicidal ideation than individuals with low levels of distress. Even though we cannot conclude that individuals with low levels of distress do not have thoughts of ending their lives, further suicide assessment is warranted in asylum seekers with moderate to severe distress on the RHS.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Leiler & Michael Hollifield & Elisabet Wasteson & Anna Bjärtå, 2019. "Suicidal Ideation and Severity of Distress among Refugees Residing in Asylum Accommodations in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-7, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2751-:d:253911
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kalt, A. & Hossain, M. & Kiss, L. & Zimmerman, C., 2013. "Asylum seekers, violence and health: A systematic review of research in high-income host countries," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(3), pages 30-42.
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    Cited by:

    1. Laura Spagnoli & Antoine Flahault & Pietro Ferrara, 2020. "Migrant Health Burden: Where Do We Stand?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-3, April.
    2. Rafael Youngmann & Rachel Bachner-Melman & Lilac Lev-Ari & Hadar Tzur & Ravit Hileli & Ido Lurie, 2021. "Trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Mental Health Care of Asylum Seekers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Ruth León-Pinilla & Ana Soto-Rubio & Vicente Prado-Gascó, 2020. "Support and Emotional Well-Being of Asylum Seekers and Refugees in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.

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