Refugees versus persons family reunified to a refugee: A comparison of sociodemographic factors, trauma history, baseline psychopathology and treatment effectiveness

Background: No previous studies have focused specifically on comparing refugees with PTSD to persons family reunified to a refugee with PTSD to understand differences with regard to living conditions, emotional distress and treatment outcome. Knowledge on these differences are important to better understand the trauma-affected population and finally whether they might need different treatment protocols. The aim of this study was therefore to examine differences between trauma-affected refugees and trauma-affected persons family reunified. Methods: The sample consisted of 892 patients. Treatment outcome was measured on PTSD, depression symptoms and functioning. The two subsamples defined by migrant background were compared on sociodemographic factors, trauma history, psychopathology and treatment effectiveness. Results: Most significant differences between the two subsamples were found on sociodemographic factors and trauma history with more significant differences in the larger female subsample. The refugee subsamples had more interpersonal trauma compared to the family reunified subsample, but both subsamples had been exposed to many potential stressors and trauma. No significant differences were found on baseline psychopathology or treatment outcome on any of the outcome measures. Limitations: The small sample size of family reunified men might have been the reason for fewer significant results in this population. Also the data had a lack of variables on specific trauma as well as peri- and postimigration factors making it harder to more fully understand the differences between the two subsamples. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results suggest both subsamples suffering from severe mental symptoms and both in need of adequate treatment.