Citation

Silove D. Torture 2022; 32(1,2): 219-226.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims)

DOI

10.7146/torture.v32i1-2.131998

PMID

35950435

Abstract

Epidemiological research has made a major contribution to the knowledge-base in the field of refugee and post-conflict mental health in the last 30 years. There is a tendency however to question the cultural validity of study findings, or, alternatively, to argue that we have sufficient data to predict the mental health and psychosocial (MHPSS) needs of future populations exposed to mass conflict. This paper attempts to address both issues. Specifically, it is argued that, rather than an indicator of cultural inaccuracy in measurement, the large variation in symptom prevalence rates observed across studies may reflect a genuine difference given the unique profile of risk and protective factors that characterize refugee populations based on their individual histories of conflict and current conditions of resettlement. There are compelling reasons therefore, where feasible, to include epide-miological studies in the comprehensive ap-proach of data gathering in assessing MHPSS needs - and to monitor changes over time - in current and future populations exposed to mass conflict.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Mental Health; *Refugees/psychology; Epidemiologic Studies