Table 2 Lifetime exposure to traumatic events: number and types experienced
From: Mental health of asylum seekers: a cross-sectional study of psychiatric disorders
Variablesa | Asylum seekers | |
|---|---|---|
Group 1 (0–5 months, n = 43) | Group 2 (12–26 months, n = 43) | |
Number of traumatic event types experienced, mean (SD) | 5.2 (3.9) | 6.3 (4.4) |
Experienced at least 1 traumatic event, n (%) | 39 (90.7) | 37 (86.0) |
Type of traumatic events experienced, n (%) | ||
Forced separation from family member | 18 (41.9) | 19 (44.2) |
Unnatural death of family member or friend | 17 (39.5) | 18 (41.9) |
Non-sexual assault by stranger | 17 (39.5) | 17 (39.5) |
Being close to death | 14 (32.6) | 20 (46.5) |
Lack of food or water | 18 (41.9) | 15 (34.9) |
Lack of shelter | 14 (32.6) | 15 (34.9) |
Murder of family member or friend | 17 (39.5) | 12 (27.9) |
Enforced isolation from others | 12 (27.9) | 15 (34.9) |
Non-sexual assault by family member or familiar person | 12 (27.9) | 14 (32.6) |
Combat situation | 9 (20.6) | 16 (37.2) |
Imprisonment | 9 (27.9) | 15 (34.9) |
Torture | 11 (25.6) | 11 (25.6) |
Ill health without access to medical care | 11 (25.6) | 11 (25.6) |
Serious accident | 7 (16.3) | 11 (25.6) |
Murder of one or more strangers | 7 (16.3) | 10 (23.8) |
Serious physical injury | 6 (14.0) | 10 (23.3) |
Disappearance or kidnapping | 4 (9.3) | 11 (26.2) |
Natural disaster | 5 (11.6) | 7 (16.3) |
Life-threatening illness | 2 (4.7) | 7 (16.3) |
Brainwashing | 4 (9.3) | 5 (11.6) |
Sexual assault by family member or familiar person | 3 (7.0) | 6 (14.0) |
Sexual contact as a minor with person 5+ years older | 3 (7.0) | 5 (12.2) |
Sexual assault by a stranger | 3 (7.0) | 1 (2.4) |