PTSD RESEARCH PROJECT
Research project into the incidence and treatment resources available for persons suffering with PTSD
THE COLLABORATION
Working with a local Doctor and Medicine Hat College, Global Village established a Research project into the incidence and treatment resources available for immigrant individuals suffering with PTSD
Dr. Kadima arrived at the South Shore Clinic in Brooks and noted seemingly high number of immigrant individuals potentially with PTSD.
From Global Village, Ahmed Kassem, and
Dr. Kadima approached Medicine Hat College for interest in collaborative research.
From Medicine Hat College Main Campus,
Dr. Nicole Burnett, Donna Wood and
Dr. Elizabeth Pennefather-O’Brien worked with Dr. Kadima and Ahmed Kassem on a proposal for research.
THE STUDY
This research project focused on the incidence of PTSD in the rural Southern Alberta immigrant population in Brooks and Newell County.
The objectives included:
DIVERSITY
Describing the diversity of the immigrant population in rural southern Alberta
PREVALENCE
Assessing the prevalence, and severity, of PTSD among the immigrants/refugees in rural southern Alberta
EXPERIENCE
Identifying the types of stressful experiences that may have contributed to the experience of PTSD by those immigrants/refugees
THE MEASURES
1.
Demographics
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Gender
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Age
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Marital status
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Language
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Immigration Status
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Refugee Status
3.
Life Events Checklist (LEC-5)
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Given alongside the PCL-5
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Assesses frequency of exposure to traumatic events
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E.g., natural disaster, assault, accidents, combat, etc.
2.
PTSD Checklist (PCL-5)
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Measures presence of PTSD symptoms outlined in the DSM-5
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20 questions; rated on 4 point Likert scale, increasing in severity
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A score of 33+ indicates presence of PTSD symptoms (max score is 60)
3.
Culture Shock Questionnaire
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Assess issues frequently experienced when integrating into a new culture
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7 questions; rated in severity from 0-2points
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Rating of 7+ indicates presence of culture shock (Max Score 14)
189 Refugees
120 PTSD cases
100 Culture Shock cases
63%
of sample collected display PTSD symptoms
60%
of sample collected are Refugees
53%
of sample collected display symptoms of Culture Shock
37%
of the City of Brooks population represents a visible minority
