Psychological distress prevalence and associated stressors and supports among urban-displaced Congolese adults in Kenya

Bibliographic Data

ID9052017
AuthorsJulie A Tippens (0000-0003-0465-3570, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, corresponding author), Holly Hatton-Bowers (0000-0002-4165-791X, University of Nebraska–Lincoln), Ryan Honomichl (0000-0002-0535-4268, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine), Lorey A Wheeler (0000-0001-9975-6702, University of Nebraska–Lincoln), Helen M Miamidian (African Centre for Global Health and Social Transformation), Kirstie L Bash (0000-0002-1425-5632, Partnership for Public Service), Michelle C Howell Smith (0000-0001-7397-4912), Dulo Nyaoro (0000-0001-6906-2515, Moi University), J Joshua Byrd, Josh Byrd (University of Nebraska–Lincoln), Samuel E Packard (0000-0001-8607-792X, University of Arizona), Nicolette I Teufel-Shone (0000-0002-7548-819X, Northern Arizona University)
Year2021
Volume91
Issue5
Pages626-634
Publication date2021-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Orthopsychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9432 • E-ISSN: 1939-0025
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/ort0000564
PMID34291998
OpenAlexW3185531568
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited31

BACKGROUND: There is limited understanding of the prevalence of psychological distress and associated stressors and supports among displaced adults in low- and middle-income first asylum countries. METHOD: This article reports the findings of a cross-sectional study. We recruited 245 Congolese adults (18-80 years) residing in Nairobi, Kenya using snowball sampling. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic characteristics, the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), and a locally developed stressors and supports survey. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations among sociodemographic, stressor, and support variables and the likelihood of experiencing psychological distress. RESULTS: = .035. CONCLUSION: Future research is warranted to understand how to implement targeted mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to improve urban-displaced adults' sense of safety and belonging. Our findings suggest that legal refugee status is an important structural determinant of mental health, which should be considered in MHPSS practice and policy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)

Cross-sectional study · Distress · Ethnic group · Feeling · Logistic regression · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Refugee · Snowball sampling · Stressor · Clinical Psychology · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology · Social Psychology