Abstract
What is known on the subject?: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Myanmar have been exposed to conflict and violence for a long time and experience physical, psychological and social problems. Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are more prevalent among IDPs than among general populations and refugees, and limited research is available on this topic among IDPs in Myanmar. What the paper adds to existing knowledge?: More than one-third of the IDPs in our sample from Myanmar camps had a high PTSS score. More than two-thirds experienced traumatic events and left home after age 18. The overall functional health of IDPs was poor, and the presence or absence of PTSS led to differences in the factors associated with functional health in each group. Resilience and PTSS were associated with the functional health of IDPs in Myanmar. Further, functional health was positively correlated with levels of resilience among those relatively low in PTSS. What are the implications for practice?: Mental health nurses need to assess IDPs’ health status and PTSS by first performing health screening at camps in Myanmar. Subsequently, tailored interventions can be provided according to individual health conditions and PTSS severity. IDPs in Myanmar need psychological first aid to cope with the ongoing conflict and violence, and further mental health nurse training is necessary to implement this aid and tailored interventions for PTSS. Abstract: Introduction: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are individuals forced to leave their homes and move within their country. Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are prevalent in this population. Aim: To investigate trauma symptoms and functional health of IDPs in Myanmar and identify the factors associated with their functional health according to the presence/absence of PTSS. Method: This cross-sectional study included 201 IDPs who completed a questionnaire on functional health, PTSS, resilience, social support and hope. The analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, Pearson's correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression with interaction analyses. Results: Over one-third of the participants had PTSS, with low functional health scores. The greater the resilience, the better the functional health. The higher participants’ PTSS, the poorer their functional health. There was a significant interaction between resilience and PTSS. Discussion: Tailored resilience-building programs, as well as health policies and services, are needed to enhance IDPs’ functional health and help them overcome PTSS. Implications for practice: Psychological first aid should be provided to minimize PTSS experienced in situations of ongoing conflict and violence. Mental health nurses should be trained to assess IDPs’ health status and tailor interventions accordingly.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 555-567 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
Volume | 29 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2022 Aug |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was funded by the Yonsei University College of Nursing and Mo-Im Kim Nursing Research Institute in 2018 (Grant ID: 6-2018-0152). The funders had no role in the study design; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; manuscript writing; or decision to submit this article for publication We would like to acknowledge the work of the Korea and Gwangju Asia Sisterhood (South Korea) and the Gender and Development Institute (Myanmar) in the data collection for this study. This research was supported by the Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project funded by National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea, Yonsei University College of Nursing.
Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Yonsei University College of Nursing and Mo‐Im Kim Nursing Research Institute in 2018 (Grant ID: 6‐2018‐0152). The funders had no role in the study design; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; manuscript writing; or decision to submit this article for publication
Funding Information:
We would like to acknowledge the work of the Korea and Gwangju Asia Sisterhood (South Korea) and the Gender and Development Institute (Myanmar) in the data collection for this study. This research was supported by the Brain Korea 21 FOUR Project funded by National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea, Yonsei University College of Nursing.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Phychiatric Mental Health