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Asielzoekers: ziek door trauma’s van ver weg of juist van heel dichtbij?

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Psychologie & gezondheid

Summary

Asylum seekers: sick through traumas from far away or near by?

The problems of asylum seekers are multiple and complex. Next to having experienced a lot of adversities in their country of origin, when they arrive in a host country they face a (usually long) asylum procedure and a multitude of post-migration living problems. Literature shows high prevalence rates of mental disorders and low quality of life. The length of the asylum procedure is an even more important risk factor for psychopathology than the adverse life events in the country of origin. Both qualitative and quantitative research has shown the relevant types of post-migration living problems, such as uncertainty about the future, the fear to be sent home, missing one’s family, and lack of work. In order to improve the mental health status of this very vulnerable group, the government should reconsider their policy regarding length of the asylum procedure, living conditions in the asylum seeking centres, work, and family reunification, and should facilitate support by voluntary agencies. Mental health workers should realize the importance of the asylum procedure and the (often related) post-migration living problems and consider to focus their treatment on (coping with) these problems instead of only focusing on traumas from the past. A resilienceoriented approach is recommended.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centrum voor Transculturele Psychiatrie Noord Nederland, GGZ-Drenthe, 9411, Beilen, Altingerweg 1, The Netherlands

    Kees Laban

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  1. Kees Laban
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psychiater en hoofd behandelbeleid bij De Evenaar

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Laban, K. Asielzoekers: ziek door trauma’s van ver weg of juist van heel dichtbij?. PSYCHOL. GEZONDH. 39, 132–137 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12483-011-0027-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12483-011-0027-3

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