Survivors of torture and survivors of gender persecution: A comparative study of symptom severities at intake.

摘要

This study describes demographic and trauma characteristics of a population of gender persecution survivors (n = 112) at intake into the Gender Asylum and Recovery Project (GARP), and of a population of torture survivors (n = 166) at intake into Survivors International during a 28 month time period spanning November 2003 through March 2006. Symptom severities at intake for the two groups, as measured by the HSCL-25 anxiety and depression subscales and by the PCL, were compared through two tailed t-tests. Depressive symptoms were found to be more severe ( t (274) = -3.170, p .002) for gender persecution survivors (M = 2.70, SD = .62, n = 112) than for torture survivors (M = 2.45, SD = .66, n = 164) at intake. Severity of PTSD symptoms were also determined to be more severe (t (264) = -2.924, p .004) for survivors of gender persecution (A1 = 58.69, SD = 13.25, n = 111) than for survivors of torture (M = 53.68, SD = 14.11, n = 155) at intake. Standard multiple regression analyses were conducted for each dependent variable and respective candidate predictors identified through Pearson product-moment correlation. Multiple R was statistically significant for all proposed models. Having experienced loss of consciousness (t = 2.103; p .037), having had family members disappeared (t = -2.085; p .038), and current employment (t = -2.305; p .022) were supported as predictive of severity of anxiety symptoms at intake. Gender-based persecution (t = 3.207; p .002), and fluency in English (t = 2.181; p .030) were supported as predictive of severity of depressive symptoms at intake. These findings support the clinical observation that the level of violence and resulting trauma experienced by survivors of gender persecution correlates with that of survivors of political torture. More research is needed to better understand, and more effectively address, the unique legal, sociocultural, and mental health needs of persons fleeing gender-based persecution.