Patterns of Symptomatology and Patterns of Torture and Trauma Experiences in Resettled Refugees

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was: (i) to examine the incidence of psychological and medical symptomatology, torture and related trauma in a sample of 191 refugee clients of the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia; and (ii) to identify patterns of current symptoms, patterns of torture and trauma experiences and the relationships between symptoms and experiences. Method: Analysis of STARTTS client records permitted the coding of the presence/absence of 41 medical and psychological symptoms and of 33 torture and trauma experiences. Principal components analyses were used to identify patterns of current symptoms and patterns of torture and trauma experiences. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify relationships between current symptoms and traumatic events in the country of origin or en route to Australia. Results: Six factors were extracted for both the symptoms and trauma experiences; the first symptom factor was labelled ‘core posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)’. Regression analysis showed that threats and humiliation, and being forced to watch others being tortured best predicted scores on this factor. Conclusions: Although core PTSD is the dominant factor in symptomatology, comorbidity is high, with another three symptom factors emerging as meaningful. However, client reports of threats and humiliation or forced viewing of others being tortured should alert clinicians to the likely development of core PTSD, if it has not already occurred. Other implications of these findings for treatment and service development are discussed.