PTSD symptom changes in refugees

Extreme traumatic events such as a threatened death or serious injury are common experiences for refugees, many of whom display levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Our preliminary investigation of 19 refugees examined whether acceptance of an individual application for Convention Refugee status is a factor in recovery from PTSD. Based on the traumatic experiences identified with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire, differential rates of recovery from PTSD and generalized distress were prospectively compared in refugees who had either received acceptance in their application for refugee status (n=10) or had been denied status (n=9). PTSD was diagnosed according to criteria outlined in the DSM-IV and distress was measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory. Unique to this study was the assessment of the refugee Claimant prior to his or her individual appearance before the Immigration and Refugee Board in Canada. The data support the hypothesis that a positive outcome for the hearing would significantly relate to a reduced DSM-IV PTSD symptom count and to a reduced generalized distress. Participants who received a positive hearing outcome showed significant recovery relative to those who were denied refugee status. Notwithstanding the small paper size, the results are discussed in terms of how the promise of future freedom from persecution combines with making actual disclosures before the Immigration and Refugee Board to start the process of rehabilitation.