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Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety among North Korean refugees: a meta-analysis
Taylor, Benjamin Eric Chekaluk, Eugene Bennett, Joanne
Taylor, Benjamin Eric
Chekaluk, Eugene
Bennett, Joanne
Abstract
Objective
Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among North Korean refugees who have fled their country for economic, financial and humanitarian reasons. Co-morbid depression and anxiety are also common among North Korean refugees, due to the difficulties they have faced within their country and during their escape journey. Depression and anxiety complicate treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, and lead to poorer outcomes. Thus, the aim of the present study was to provide a meta-analysis of studies investigating post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety among North Korean refugees.
Methods
Selected articles were published in English, and included measures of post-traumatic stress, and/or depression and anxiety. 10 studies were included in the depression meta-analysis, and 6 in the anxiety meta-analysis.
Results
A random-effects model revealed strong, significant associations between post-traumatic stress and depression, r=0.63, 95% CI (0.51, 0.72), p<0.001, z=8.33, and anxiety, r=0.51, 95% CI (0.36, 0.63), p<0.001, z=6.07. The relationships between post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety were higher among adults and those with more than five years outside of North Korea.
Conclusion
Depression appears to be an important treatment focus for North Korean refugees with post-traumatic stress.
Keywords
North Korean refugees, Post-traumatic stress disorder, Anxiety, Depression
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Psychiatry Investigation
Book
Volume
14
Issue
5
Page Range
550-561
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0
File Access
Open