The effect of a low-level psychological intervention (PM+) on post-migration living difficulties – Results from two studies in Switzerland and in the Netherlands

Aims of the study: After arriving in host countries, most refugees are confronted with numerous post-migration stressors (e.g., separation from family, discrimination, and employment difficulties). Post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) significantly contribute to the development and persistence of mental disorders. Effective treatment approaches focusing on reducing post-migration stress are urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a brief psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+), on PMLDs among Syrian refugees in two European countries.... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Julia Spaaij
Anne M. de Graaff
Aemal Akhtar
Nikolai Kiselev
David McDaid
Hanspeter Moergeli
Monique C. Pfaltz
Matthis Schick
Ulrich Schnyder
Richard A. Bryant
Pim Cuijpers
Marit Sijbrandij
Naser Morina
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2023
Reihe/Periodikum: Comprehensive Psychiatry, Vol 127, Iss , Pp 152421- (2023)
Verlag/Hrsg.: Elsevier
Schlagwörter: Refugees / Common mental disorders / Post-migration living difficulties / Exile-related stressors / Problem management plus / Psychosocial interventions / Psychiatry / RC435-571
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-26803317
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152421

Aims of the study: After arriving in host countries, most refugees are confronted with numerous post-migration stressors (e.g., separation from family, discrimination, and employment difficulties). Post-migration living difficulties (PMLDs) significantly contribute to the development and persistence of mental disorders. Effective treatment approaches focusing on reducing post-migration stress are urgently needed. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a brief psychological intervention, Problem Management Plus (PM+), on PMLDs among Syrian refugees in two European countries. Methods: We merged data from two single-blind feasibility trials with Syrian refugees experiencing elevated levels of psychological distress and impaired functioning in Switzerland (N = 59) and the Netherlands (N = 60). Participants were randomised to receive either five sessions of PM+ or an enhanced care-as-usual control condition. PMLDs were assessed at baseline and 3 months after the intervention. To estimate treatment effect on PMLD, linear mixed model analysis was performed. Results: Three months after the intervention, participants in the PM+ condition reported significantly fewer PMLDs compared to the control condition. Further analyses at item-level showed that interpersonal and family related PMLDs, such as “worries about family back home” significantly improved over time in the PM+ condition. Conclusions: This exploratory study suggests that brief psychological interventions have the potential to reduce PMLDs in refugees and asylum seekers. The reduction of post-migration stress in turn may subsequently lead to an overall reduction in psychological distress.Clinical Trial Numbers: BASEC Nr. 2017–0117 (Swiss trial) and NL61361.029.17, 7 September 2017 (Dutch trial).