The factor structure of the International Trauma Questionnaire - Heywood cases in confirmatory factor analysis.

A number of studies have tested the factor structure of the suggested ICD-11 symptom criteria for PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) across various trauma populations, finding support for two different models in line with the ICD-11 theoretical rationale. Here, we aim to explore the factor structure of the Danish version of the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) by testing two alternative factor models that have previously gained support in a large sample of treatment-seeking veterans. Treatment-seeking Danish soldiers and veterans ( = 599) recruited from the Military Psychology Department in the Danish Defence completed the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ).

Predictors and Patterns of Dropout From Psychiatric Treatment Among Trauma-Affected Refugees: A Large Data Pool Analysis.

Dropout from mental health treatment is a substantial hindrance to relevant and effective treatment. Despite the high prevalence of PTSD among refugees, research into their treatment dropout has received limited attention. This study aimed to identify patterns and predictors of treatment dropout versus completion through different treatment stages.

The impact of temporary residence permit on symptom severity and treatment outcome among refugees with PTSD.

Despite an increased focus on the impact of post-migratory factors on the health of trauma-affected refugees, research on the influence of residence permit is limited. This influence may manifest on the outcome of psychiatric treatment. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to examine the role of temporary residence permit on symptom severity and treatment outcome among trauma-affected refugees in PTSD treatment.

Exploring expectations of neurofeedback treatment among trauma-affected refugees.

Background: The use of Neurofeedback (NF) to assist individuals in learning to regulate their brain wave activity has shown promising results in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD). However, few studies have focused on the patients' understandings of NF and even fewer explore the perspective of refugees.

Purpose: To evaluate NF treatment for trauma-affected refugees by focusing on their expectations and understanding of NF.

The structure of ICD-11 post traumatic stress disorder in a clinical sample of refugees based on the International Trauma Interview.

Background: The ICD-11 proposes fundamental changes to the PTSD diagnostic criteria, prompting thorough validation. While this is ideally carried out based on diagnostic interviews, most-and in the case of transcultural psychiatry all-studies have relied on self-reported measures. In this study, we used the International Trauma Interview (ITI) to assess the factor structure of ICD-11 PTSD symptoms in a sample of trauma-affected refugees.

Protocol for the development and testing of the schiZotypy Autism Questionnaire (ZAQ) in adults: a new screening tool to discriminate autism spectrum disorder from schizotypal disorder.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and schizotypal disorder (SD) both have a heterogenous presentation, with significant overlaps in symptoms and behaviour. Due to elevated recognition and knowledge of ASD worldwide, there is a growing rate of referrals from primary health professionals to specialised units. At all levels of assessment, the differential diagnostic considerations between ASD and SD exert major challenges for clinicians.

Chronicity of posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid pain as predictors of treatment response for trauma-affected refugees.

Predictors of treatment outcomes have received limited attention in the field of trauma-affected refugees. Symptom chronicity is potentially a particularly relevant predictor, as it would instruct earlier interventions for a population less familiar with psychiatric treatment options, and its identification may also reduce or delay the onset of comorbidities, such as chronic pain. Accordingly, this study examined the impacts of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) chronicity and baseline comorbid pain on treatment response in trauma-affected refugees.

Evaluating the procedural validity of the multilingual computer assisted self interview (MultiCASI) in a refugee population.

Multimedia-based administration of questionnaires, presenting items both in writing and spoken word, offers numerous potential benefits in transcultural psychiatry, such as improved comprehension of each question, ease of administration, prevention of missing or arbitrary responses, and obviating subsequent data entry. The concept has become known as "Computer-Assisted Self Interviewing" (CASI), and while preliminary results are promising, previous studies have not directly compared CASI to paper-and-pen administration in a large and representative sample of refugees. The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedural validity of multilingual CASI in comparison to paper-based-administration.

Social zeitgebers and circadian dysrhythmia are associated with severity of symptoms of PTSD and depression in trauma-affected refugees.

The relation of aspects of rest-activity patterns, i.e., social zeitgebers, physical activity and circadian rhythm, to the severity of PTSD and depressive symptoms has not previously been studied.

A Rasch-based validity study of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire.

Background: The Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) is the predominant questionnaire for assessing PTSD in trauma-affected refugees. Although the scale is increasingly used for measuring treatment outcomes, it has never been specifically validated for such use. The current study does so by testing the HTQ with the Rasch model.

Stress management versus cognitive restructuring in trauma-affected refugees-A pragmatic randomised study.

The aim of this randomised trial was to compare the effectiveness of stress management (SM) versus cognitive restructuring (CR) in trauma-affected refugees. The intention-to-treat sample comprised 126 refugees with PTSD (SM = 62, CR = 64). The treatment consisted of 16 sessions of psychotherapy with manualised SM or CR in addition to 10 sessions with a medical doctor (psychoeducation and pharmacological treatment).

Startle habituation, sensory, and sensorimotor gating in trauma-affected refugees with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Background: Impairments in mechanisms underlying early information processing have been reported in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); however, findings in the existing literature are inconsistent. This current study capitalizes on technological advancements of research on electroencephalographic event-related potential and applies it to a novel PTSD population consisting of trauma-affected refugees.

Methods: A total of 25 trauma-affected refugees with PTSD and 20 healthy refugee controls matched on age, gender, and country of origin completed the study.

Cross-Cultural Psychometric Properties of the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

Objective: The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is considered the gold standard measure of depression. The factor structure of the HDRS is generally unstable, but 4 to 8 items appear to form a general depression factor. As transcultural studies of the HDRS have received little attention, and as most of the studies have taken a data-driven approach with a tendency to yield fragmented results, it is not clear if an HDRS general depression factor can also be found in non-Western populations.

Treatment of sleep disturbances in refugees suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sleep disturbances are often referred to as the hallmark of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although PTSD is prevalent in refugees, studies on sleep disturbances in trauma-affected refugees are scarce. This article presents the results of two studies: a systematic review of the literature on treatment of sleep disturbances in adult trauma-affected refugees and a study of the role of sleep disturbances in the PTSD symptom structure.

The latent structure of post-traumatic stress disorder among Arabic-speaking refugees receiving psychiatric treatment in Denmark.

Background: Refugees are known to have high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although recent years have seen an increase in the number of refugees from Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East, no study so far has validated the construct of PTSD in an Arabic speaking sample of refugees.

Methods: Responses to the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ) were obtained from 409 Arabic-speaking refugees diagnosed with PTSD and undergoing treatment in Denmark.

Psychosocial predictors of treatment outcome for trauma-affected refugees.

Background: The effects of treatment in trials with trauma-affected refugees vary considerably not only between studies but also between patients within a single study. However, we know little about why some patients benefit more from treatment, as few studies have analysed predictors of treatment outcome.

Objective: The objective of the study was to examine possible psychosocial predictors of treatment outcome for trauma-affected refugees.

Psychotherapy with traumatised refugees--the design of a randomised clinical trial.

There is little evidence as to which kind of psychotherapy is the most effective in the treatment of traumatised refugees. At the Competence Center for Transcultural Psychiatry, a series of clinical trials have been conducted since 2008. The first results are pending publication.