Experience of traumatic events in people with severe mental illness in a low-income country: a qualitative study.

Journal: International journal of mental health systems

Volume: 17

Issue: 1

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Psychology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. laurenng@ucla.edu. Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA. Center for Innovative Drug Development, Therapeutic Trials for Africa (CDT-Africa), Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Abstract summary 

This study describes the trauma experiences of people with severe mental illness (SMI) in Ethiopia and presents a model of how SMI and trauma exposure interact to reduce functioning and quality of life in this setting.A total of 53 participants living and working in a rural district in southern Ethiopia were interviewed: 18 people living with SMI, 21 caregivers, and 14 primary health care providers.Many participants reported that exposure to traumatic and stressful events led to SMI, exacerbated SMI symptoms, and increased caregiver stress and distress. In addition, SMI symptoms and caregiver desperation, stress or stigma were also reported to increase the possibility of trauma exposure.Results suggest it is incumbent upon health professionals and the broader health community to view trauma exposure (broadly defined) as a public health problem that affects all, particularly individuals with SMI.

Authors & Co-authors:  Ng Lauren C LC Hook Kimberly K Hailemariam Maji M Selamu Medhin M Fekadu Abebaw A Hanlon Charlotte C

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  American Psychiatric Association . Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, Fifth Edition. 5. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
Authors :  6
Identifiers
Doi : 45
SSN : 1752-4458
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Quality of life;Severe mental illness (SMI);Trauma; Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Ethiopia
Publication Country
England