Types of Torture as a Predictor of PTSD Symptomology
Conference Year
January 2019
Abstract
Background and Purpose/Objectives: Among refugees diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), previous exposure to torturehas been found to be the strongest predictor of symptoms related to PTSD (Steel et al., 2009). Several studies have shown the relationship between torture type and psychopathology, such that sexual abuse has been particularly associated with higher rates of PTSD in refugee and non-refugee samples (Hooberman et al., 2011; Kira et al., 2013; Gaskell, 2005). To investigate such findings, we hypothesized that in our clinical sample, refugee torture survivors who have experienced sexual trauma/rape would display a greater risk of PTSD in comparison to those with different types of torture experiences. Methodology:Participants included 170 refugee torture survivors seen at a U.S. Northeastern outpatient clinic. As part of a larger study, measures included a demographic questionnaire assessing torture experiences and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Results:Logistic regression was performed using different torture categories to evaluate the independent association of each torture variable with risk for meeting a PTSD-related clinical cutoff score. We found that accounting for the other torture categories experienced, psychological torture significantly predicted meeting PTSD cutoff criteria, OR = 3.79, p = .008, 95% CI [1.42, 10.08]. Discussion: Contrary to the existing literature, our results highlight the impact of psychological torture in refugee patients seeking services at a mental health clinic. We will present on the importance of providing culturally sensitive and responsive PTSD assessments and treatments to those who have experienced different types of torture.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Keith Burt
Graduate Student Mentors
Hannah Holbrook
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Dr. Keith Burt (Graduate Student Mentor) Karen Fondacaro (Collaborating Mentor)
Status
Graduate
Student College
College of Arts and Sciences
Program/Major
Psychological Science
Primary Research Category
Social Sciences
Secondary Research Category
Health Sciences
Types of Torture as a Predictor of PTSD Symptomology
Background and Purpose/Objectives: Among refugees diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), previous exposure to torturehas been found to be the strongest predictor of symptoms related to PTSD (Steel et al., 2009). Several studies have shown the relationship between torture type and psychopathology, such that sexual abuse has been particularly associated with higher rates of PTSD in refugee and non-refugee samples (Hooberman et al., 2011; Kira et al., 2013; Gaskell, 2005). To investigate such findings, we hypothesized that in our clinical sample, refugee torture survivors who have experienced sexual trauma/rape would display a greater risk of PTSD in comparison to those with different types of torture experiences. Methodology:Participants included 170 refugee torture survivors seen at a U.S. Northeastern outpatient clinic. As part of a larger study, measures included a demographic questionnaire assessing torture experiences and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). Results:Logistic regression was performed using different torture categories to evaluate the independent association of each torture variable with risk for meeting a PTSD-related clinical cutoff score. We found that accounting for the other torture categories experienced, psychological torture significantly predicted meeting PTSD cutoff criteria, OR = 3.79, p = .008, 95% CI [1.42, 10.08]. Discussion: Contrary to the existing literature, our results highlight the impact of psychological torture in refugee patients seeking services at a mental health clinic. We will present on the importance of providing culturally sensitive and responsive PTSD assessments and treatments to those who have experienced different types of torture.