Options
Collective trauma among displaced populations in Northern Iraq: A case study evaluating the therapeutic interventions of the Free Yezidi Foundation
Auteur(s)
Arikut-Treece, Yesim
Date de parution
2019-7-31
In
Intervention, Journal of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Conflict Affected Areas
Vol.
1
No
17
De la page
3
A la page
12
Revu par les pairs
1
Résumé
Yezidism arguably remains one of the most oppressed religions in
Iraq, with the population historically confronted by many attempts
at genocide. These atrocities haveleft many survivors displaced and
affected by trauma, yet little research has been conducted on
experiences of trauma among this population. In the context of
an internal evaluation of the Free Yezidi Foundation’s mental
health intervention in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, 200 Yezidi
women were screened at the beginning and end of a six-month
mental health intervention using the World Health Organization
(WHO)-5 well-being scale and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire
(HTQ). Qualitative data were obtained from sixteen focus group
discussions (FGDs) among service users ofthe project as well as six
in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with members of the
project team. The results of the WHO-5 indicate a 74% increase
in self-reported well-being among service users who completed the
programme. According to the results of the HTQ, the baseline
prevalence rate of posttraumatic stress disorderwas 81.25%,which
decreased to 45% upon completion of the programme. A qualitative
analysis of interviews and FGDs highlighted that a significant impact on mental health were collective, multiple losses and separations
(including family members who sought refuge abroad), the fact that not all Yezidi held in captivity have returned, fear of ongoing attacks and
daily stressors related to poor living conditions. The results highlight the substantial impact of the political, legal and sociocultural
environment on both the prevalence of trauma as well as processes of psychosocial rehabilitation. The implications for interventions include
utilising socioecological frameworks for research and practice, engaging in advocacy and establishing agendas for mental health practice
and psychosocial support that emphasises individual and collective self-determination
Iraq, with the population historically confronted by many attempts
at genocide. These atrocities haveleft many survivors displaced and
affected by trauma, yet little research has been conducted on
experiences of trauma among this population. In the context of
an internal evaluation of the Free Yezidi Foundation’s mental
health intervention in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, 200 Yezidi
women were screened at the beginning and end of a six-month
mental health intervention using the World Health Organization
(WHO)-5 well-being scale and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire
(HTQ). Qualitative data were obtained from sixteen focus group
discussions (FGDs) among service users ofthe project as well as six
in-depth qualitative interviews conducted with members of the
project team. The results of the WHO-5 indicate a 74% increase
in self-reported well-being among service users who completed the
programme. According to the results of the HTQ, the baseline
prevalence rate of posttraumatic stress disorderwas 81.25%,which
decreased to 45% upon completion of the programme. A qualitative
analysis of interviews and FGDs highlighted that a significant impact on mental health were collective, multiple losses and separations
(including family members who sought refuge abroad), the fact that not all Yezidi held in captivity have returned, fear of ongoing attacks and
daily stressors related to poor living conditions. The results highlight the substantial impact of the political, legal and sociocultural
environment on both the prevalence of trauma as well as processes of psychosocial rehabilitation. The implications for interventions include
utilising socioecological frameworks for research and practice, engaging in advocacy and establishing agendas for mental health practice
and psychosocial support that emphasises individual and collective self-determination
Identifiants
Type de publication
journal article
