The psychological impact of displacement and female genital mutilation/cutting

Although 230 million people worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), its psychological consequences remain understudied. Asylum-seekers may face unique biopsychosocial burdens when migrating to countries where FGM/C is not a cultural norm. We conducted a retrospective observational study of 50 asylum seekers evaluated at the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights between 2010 and 2020 to characterize the psychological sequelae of FGM/C. Psychological symptoms were reported in 86% of cases, with anxiety, depressed/sad mood, aversion to sexual activity and nightmare being the most common. Formal psychological diagnoses were made for 32% of cases with 30% diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, 20% with major depressive disorder, and 6% with generalised anxiety disorder. Additionally, 74% of cases had experienced other forms of trauma(s), including domestic violence, sexual violence, and kidnapping signaling that violence experienced in this population is complex. Psychological disorders were diagnosed in 93% of individuals who underwent a psychological evaluation, versus 9% of those who did not, despite similar trauma history. There is a role for psychological evaluation and symptom screening for asylum-seekers who have undergone FGM/C.