Cultural bias in suicidal behaviour among refugees with post-traumatic stress disorder

Abstract

The study was primarily designed to assess the prevalence of suicidal behaviour among asylum applicants diagnosed as having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the impact of cultural bias factors (such as religion and nationality) in suicidal dynamics. The traumatic stressors reported in the study included being subjected to or forced to witness war atrocities, imprisonment, torture, sexual violence, other's suicide, and summary or mock executions. The study included 64 PTSD patients who were examined as part of a diagnostic and suicidal risk assessment after referral. Suicide risk assessments were assisted with scores of the SAD PERSONS Scale. Most PTSD patients reported suicidal behaviour. Nearly half of the refugees with PSTD diagnoses had a history of suicide attempts. Religious proscription or nationality was not found to be a significant deterrent of suicidal behaviour, and no differences between the various religious groups were established on this point. Another noteworthy finding in the present study was that suicidal behaviour did not differ significantly between asylum applicants and refugees granted residence permits. Thus, the notion that asylum applicants might manifest a higher frequency of suicidal behaviour, possibly due to the threat of imminent expulsion from the country, derived no support from our findings. The results ratified our previous findings, which suggested that suicidal behaviour is more closely related to PTSD trauma diathesis and clinical features than to cultural bias.

Key Words:

• Nationality
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Refugees
• Religious proscription
• Suicidal behaviour