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Influence of post-migration living difficulties on post-traumatic symptoms in Chinese asylum seekers resettled in Italy

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Listed:
  • Massimiliano Aragona
  • Miriam Castaldo
  • Maria Cristina Tumiati
  • Cristina Schillirò
  • Alessandra Dal Secco
  • Francesca Agrò
  • Angela Forese
  • Marco Tosi
  • Giovanni Baglio
  • Concetta Mirisola

Abstract

Background: Little is known about mental health and resettlement difficulties of Chinese asylum seekers fleeing China due to religious persecutions. Aim: This study explores main post-migration living difficulties (PMLD) in this population, with a focus on their role in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Methods: A total of 67 patients (95.52% women, mean age 34.75 ± 7.63) were included in the study. The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) was used to assess PTSD, the List of Migration Experiences (LiMEs) was used for pre-migration and post-migration experiences (potentially traumatic events as well as living difficulties). The t -test was used to examine the differences in pre-migration and post-migration mean scores. Logistic regression was used to test the effect of pre-migration traumatic experiences (PMTE) and most frequent PMLD on having a PTSD. Results: A total of 49 patients scored above the HTQ cut-off score for PTSD. As expected, traumatic experiences were concentrated in the pre-migration phase, while living difficulties were present in both phases but more frequently in the post-migration period. PMTE were significantly related to PTSD (OR 1.29, p  = .01). However, three PMLD (‘Feeling that you do not know where you will lend up tomorrow’, ‘Loneliness and boredom’ and ‘Not being able to find work’) showed a significant interaction with PMTE, suggesting that their presence in the post-migration phase has a modulation effect by increasing the likelihood of PTSD. Conclusion: This study extends to Chinese asylum seekers the previous evidence that PMLD have a significant role in the likelihood to have a PTSD after landing in the host country.

Suggested Citation

  • Massimiliano Aragona & Miriam Castaldo & Maria Cristina Tumiati & Cristina Schillirò & Alessandra Dal Secco & Francesca Agrò & Angela Forese & Marco Tosi & Giovanni Baglio & Concetta Mirisola, 2020. "Influence of post-migration living difficulties on post-traumatic symptoms in Chinese asylum seekers resettled in Italy," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 66(2), pages 129-135, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socpsy:v:66:y:2020:i:2:p:129-135
    DOI: 10.1177/0020764019888960
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steel, Zachary & Momartin, Shakeh & Silove, Derrick & Coello, Marianio & Aroche, Jorge & Tay, Kuo Wei, 2011. "Two year psychosocial and mental health outcomes for refugees subjected to restrictive or supportive immigration policies," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 72(7), pages 1149-1156, April.
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