Cluster analysis of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, and depression symptoms in bereaved asylum seekers and refugees

Resumen

Background: Refugees and asylum seekers (ASRs) are frequently exposed to loss in addition to a variety of other stressors and often display high levels of various psychological symptoms. Objective: The study aimed to primarily determine clusters of prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression symptoms in bereaved ASRs and secondly identify predictors of cluster membership. Sociodemographic- and flight-related variables were investigated in exploratory analyses. Method: ASRs in Germany (N = 92) with interpersonal loss exposure, i.e. at least one missing or deceased relative or friend, were assessed with interview-based questionnaires for PGD, PTSD, and depressive symptoms. We used k-means cluster analysis to distinguish symptom profiles and logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of cluster membership. Results: We found a three-cluster-solution. The PGD-cluster (30%) was characterized predominantly by PGD symptoms, while the PGD/PTSD-cluster (32%) had high PGD and PTSD and moderate depressive symptoms. The resilient cluster (38%) showed low symptoms overall. Insecure residence status predicted membership in the PGD and PGD/PTSD clusters relative to the resilient cluster, whilst higher attachment anxiety predicted membership in the PGD/PTSD cluster relative to the other clusters. Explorative analysis revealed duration of stay as a significant predictor. Conclusion: Findings can extend the current knowledge about different symptom profiles among bereaved ASRs in Europe. Insights to attachment- and migration-related variables distinguishing between these profiles offer starting points for interventions.

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Cómo citar (APA 7)

Comtesse, H., Edelhoff, H., Rosner, R., & Lechner-Meichsner, F. (2023). Cluster analysis of prolonged grief, posttraumatic stress, and depression symptoms in bereaved asylum seekers and refugees. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008066.2024.2383525