info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression symptoms, and psychosocial treatment needs in colombians internally displaced by armed conflict : a mixed-method evaluation
Registro en:
0942-9681
1942-969X
Autor
Richards, Anne
Ospina Duque, Jorge
Barrera Valencia, Mauricio Alberto
Escobar Rincón, Juan
Ardila Gutiérrez, Mario
Metzler, Thomas
Marmar, Charles
Institución
Resumen
ABSTRACT: Armed conflict in Colombia has resulted in the displacement of an estimated 4.5 million people, or about
10% of the Colombian population. Hundreds of thousands of Colombians are exposed to violence and
forced displacement annually. The present study used survey methods to assess levels of posttraumatic
stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms in a convenience sample of 109 internally
displaced adults residing in Medellı´n, Colombia. A qualitative approach including an open-ended survey
and focus groups with a subsample of 44 survey respondents was used to gain a better understanding of
mental health treatment needs. A large proportion of survey respondents exceeded cut-scores for
clinically significant PTSD (88%), anxiety (59%), and depression (41%). Multivariate regression models
showed that female gender was a significant predictor of higher PTSD symptom levels and that female
gender, higher education, and being separated as opposed to married predicted higher levels of depression
symptoms. Focus group findings suggest that participants are interested in specialized psychological
treatments as well as broader psychosocial interventions to treat the consequences of exposure to violence
and forced displacement.