| ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2005 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 1 | Page : 46-50 |
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PTSD, depression, and acculturation
Derrick Silove1, Vijaya Manicavasagar2, Mariano Coello3, Jorge Aroche4
1 Director of the Centre for Population Mental Health Research, School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, and Centre for South West Sydney Area Health Service
2 previously Senior Lecturer at the same centre
3 Clinical Director of the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS), New South Wales
4 Executive Director
Correspondence Address:
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
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In this pilot study we tested whether Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or major depression inhibits psychosocial adaptation in refugees. We tested a group of sixty-three refugees from the former Yugoslavia prior to and following attendance at a group family in cultural transition (FICT) program. The tests studied were for the presence PTSD, depression, and psychosocial functioning. Almost half of the pilot group dropped out before completion of the program, an outcome not predicted by psychiatric status. Those with no psychiatric disorder made gains in psychosocial functioning during the course of the program. People with PTSD or depression, did not. Completion of the program did not alter rates of psychiatric disturbance. In a multivariate analysis, depression emerged as the main factor that accounted for poor outcomes. When present, clinical depression may require treatment before refugees attend resettlement programs of this type.
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