Philipp Kuwert - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Philipp Kuwert
Frontiers in political science, Sep 13, 2022
Objective: Children Born of War (CBOW) are an international and timeless phenomenon that exists i... more Objective: Children Born of War (CBOW) are an international and timeless phenomenon that exists in every country involved in war or armed conflict. Nevertheless, little is known on a systematic level about those children, who are typically fathered by a foreign or enemy soldier and born to a local mother. In particular, the identity issues that CBOW often report have remained largely uninvestigated. In the current qualitative study we began filling this gap in the scientific literature by asking how CBOW construct their identity in self-descriptions. Method: We utilized thematic content analysis of N = German CBOWs' answers to an open-ended questionnaire item asking how they see themselves and their identity in the context of being a CBOW. Results: We identified five key themes in CBOW' identity accounts. Loneliness and lack of belonging appeared as a paramount aspect of their self-descriptions next to narratives about belonging and positive relationship. On a less interpersonal basis, we found fighting and surviving and searching for truth and completion overarching aspects of their identities. There were also few accounts growing up una ected by the fact of being born a CBOW. Although all themes portray di erent perspectives, they all (but the last one) clearly indicate the impeded circumstances under which CBOW had to grow up. Conclusions: Integrating our findings with existing interdisciplinary literature regarding identity, we discuss implications for future research and clinical and political practice.
Die mit einer Pressemitteilung der Universitat Greifswald angekundigte Studie zur sexualisierten ... more Die mit einer Pressemitteilung der Universitat Greifswald angekundigte Studie zur sexualisierten Gewalt am Ende des II. Weltkrieges erzielte eine so grose und komplexe Resonanz bei Betroffenen, Interessierten und in den Medien, dass ein vielschichtiges Erfahrungs- und Meinungsbild zu dem bislang im offentlichen Diskurs kaum thematisierten Traumageschehen entstand. Der vorliegende Artikel versucht, typische Diskussionsbeitrage beispielhaft zu zitieren und psychotraumatologisch zu kommentieren. Samtliche Mitteilungen von Betroffenen sind vollstandig anonymisiert und bezuglich biografischer Details verfremdet.
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, 2016
Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Obwohl der Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkriegs in diesem Jahr bereits ... more Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Obwohl der Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkriegs in diesem Jahr bereits 75 Jahre zuruckliegt, haben noch heute viele Personengruppen in Deutschland unter den psychischen Nachwirkungen dieses einschneidenden Ereignisses zu leiden. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit sollte untersucht werden, inwiefern sich das Schicksal eines vermissten deutschen Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkriegs auf die seelische Befindlichkeit der Hinterbliebenen, vor allem der Kinder und Enkel, auswirken konnte. Methode: Hierzu wurden imNamen der Forschungsgruppe 250 aktuelle Suchantragsteller von der Deutschen Dienststelle (WASt) angeschrieben und zur Teilnahme an der Befragung aufgefordert, von denen 89 Personen den Fragebogen zumindest teilweise ausreichend beantworteten. Die einzelnen Fragebogenteile bestanden aus dem PTSS-10, dem BSI-18, einem Fragenkatalog zumUmgang mit uneindeutigen Verlustereignissen (Boundary-Ambiguity-Scale) und einem abschliesenden Fragebogenteil zur komplizierten Trauer. Ergebnisse: Die Stichp...
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2019
Objectives Children Born of War (CBOW) are important but largely uninvestigated populations. As a... more Objectives Children Born of War (CBOW) are important but largely uninvestigated populations. As a result of being fathered by a foreign soldier and born to a local mother, these children often struggle with identity issues and search for their absent fathers their whole lives. Despite CBOW being a part of every society, which has been involved in armed conflicts, there is almost no systematic research about them. Methods We provided a systematic insight into issues of identity that many CBOW face throughout their lives by assessing N = 146 German and N = 101 Austrian Occupation Children born after WWII. We applied a descriptive analysis of our quantitative questionnaire data. Results Our results suggest that CBOW were often not told the truth about their origin until they were adults. The older they were, the more the disclosure seemed to impact them. After learning the truth, almost all CBOW set out on a search for their biological fathers and wanted to get in touch. Approximately half were able to locate them but many of those had not contacted them eventually. German and Austrian Occupation Children report largely similar experiences. Conclusions Growing up as a CBOW can come with specific difficulties. Locating and getting to know their biological father seems to be a core aspect. It seems particularly important to CBOW to find out about similarities in personality and physical appearance. The possibilities to find their fathers, however, are extremely limited. Implications of the findings are discussed within the context of limitations and potential intervening factors.
International journal of mental health systems, 2017
Sexual violence is prevalent in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has potentially de... more Sexual violence is prevalent in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has potentially devastating psychosocial consequences. Previous studies have reported on sexual violence and its impact on the mental health of survivors, but there are few studies conducted among women with sexual violence-related pregnancies (SVRPs). Women with SVRPs may be at greater risk of complex psychosocial outcomes, including social stigmatization. This study aimed to describe psychosocial outcomes among this subgroup of sexual violence survivors in order to inform future interventions. A mixed methods study was conducted in Bukavu, DRC in 2012 among adult women who self-reported an SVRP and either (1) were currently raising a child from an SVRP (parenting group) or (2) had terminated an SVRP (termination group). This manuscript presents qualitative findings from the mixed methods study. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and a proportion engaged in semi-structured quali...
Der Nervenarzt, 2015
ABSTRACT The number and type of traumatic experiences show differential associations with posttra... more ABSTRACT The number and type of traumatic experiences show differential associations with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The associations of number and type of traumatic experiences with PTSD were investigated in a representative population sample in Germany. Traumatic experiences and PTSD were assessed with a self-rating questionnaire in a sample of 2510 participants from the general German population. The risk of (partial) PTSD increased with an increasing number of traumatic experiences. In contrast interpersonal and accidental traumatization showed no substantial differences with respect to the risk of PTSD. To quantify the relevance of the number and type of traumatic experiences for onset and persistence of PTSD, a multidimensional and complex assessment of those experiences is necessary. This is a great challenge in epidemiological research on this topic.
Acta medica academica, 2017
Should the definition of the term "children born of war" and vulnerabilities of children from rec... more Should the definition of the term "children born of war" and vulnerabilities of children from recent conflict and postconflict settings be broadened?
International Psychogeriatrics, 2017
ABSTRACTBackground:Children born of war are a common phenomenon of conflict. In the aftermath of ... more ABSTRACTBackground:Children born of war are a common phenomenon of conflict. In the aftermath of World War II, more than 200,000 German occupation children (GOC) were fathered by occupation soldiers and born to local women. GOC often grew up under difficult conditions and showed high prevalence rates of mental disorders even decades later.Methods:Experiences of childhood maltreatment and their association with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and somatization in GOC (N = 146) are investigated and compared with a representative birth-cohort-matched sample (BCMS) from the German general population (N = 920).Results:Outcomes show significantly higher prevalence rates of emotional abuse/neglect, physical, and sexual abuse in GOC compared to BCMS. All five subtypes of childhood maltreatment increase the risk of PTSD and somatoform syndrome; depressive syndromes are associated with emotional abuse/neglect and physical abuse. GOC were at high risk of childhood maltreatment...
Aging & mental health, Jan 28, 2016
Children born of war are a phenomenon of every conflict. At the end of World War II and thereafte... more Children born of war are a phenomenon of every conflict. At the end of World War II and thereafter, approximately 400,000 children were fathered by foreign soldiers and born to local women in Germany. Quantitative research on psychosocial consequences of growing up as German occupation child (GOC) has been missing so far. This study examines adult attachment and its association with current depression in GOC (N = 146) using self-report instruments: Adult Attachment Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire. Data were compared to a birth-cohort-matched representative sample of the German population (BCMS; N = 786). GOC differ in both attachment dimensions (less comfortable with closeness/intimacy, lowered ability to depend on others) and adult attachment (more dismissive and fearful) compared to BCMS. Insecure adult attachment is associated with current depression. GOC grew up under difficult circumstances (e.g. poverty, adverse events, and stigmatization). Even decades later they display ...
Die Langzeitfolgen des Zweiten Weltkrieges fur die heutige altere Bevolkerung Deutschlands sind i... more Die Langzeitfolgen des Zweiten Weltkrieges fur die heutige altere Bevolkerung Deutschlands sind inzwischen gut untersucht. In den letzten Jahren ruckte die Frage nach moglichen Auswirkungen der Kriegstraumatisierungen auf die nachfolgende Generation im Sinne einer transgenerationalen Ubertragung in den Fokus. Empirische Studien zu diesem Thema fur die deutsche Kriegsgeneration sind jedoch kaum zu finden. Im Ubersichtsartikel werden die Forschungsansatze und -ergebnisse anhand des integrativen Modells von Kellermann (2001) aus der Holocaustforschung dargestellt. Dabei werden Inhalte und Modelle der transgenerationalen Ubertragung unterschieden Die Befunde aus der Holocaustforschung liefern keine eindeutigen Hinweise auf transgenerationale Weitergabe traumatischer Erfahrungen im Sinne einer spezifischen Psychopathologie. In klinischen Stichproben zeigte sich eine erhohte Vulnerabilitat fur psychische Erkrankungen, die insbesondere bei Stressbelastung oder kritischen Lebensereignissen zum Tragen kommt. Die Ergebnisse werden kritisch diskutiert und Forschungsimplikationen fur die Untersuchung der transgenerationalen Ubertragung von der deutschen Kriegsgeneration auf deren Nachkommen werden abgeleitet.
Der Nervenarzt, 2015
Primary care settings have an important gatekeeping function to detect mental diseases, including... more Primary care settings have an important gatekeeping function to detect mental diseases, including trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders. To assess the prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic symptoms in a first sample of northeast German primary care patients and to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the general practitioners. Traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) were assessed with self-rating questionnaires in a sample of N = 400 patients from 3 primary care facilities. Additionally, knowledge and diagnostic accuracy of the general practitioners were evaluated. According to the results of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-15) data from all patients, the majority of patients questioned showed slight to moderate stress from somatic symptoms. Of the patients with complete data 7 % (n = 25) had a complete PTSD according to the results of the questionnaire, which was also identified in the medical assessment with a sensitivity of 40 ...
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, 2015
Pediatrics, Jan 5, 2015
Since armed conflict began in 1996, widespread sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of ... more Since armed conflict began in 1996, widespread sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in many sexual violence-related pregnancies (SVRPs). However, there are limited data on the relationships between mothers and their children from sexual violence. This study aimed to evaluate the nature and determinants of these maternal-child relationships. Using respondent-driven sampling, 757 women raising children from SVRPs in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo were interviewed. A parenting index was created from questions assessing the maternal-child relationship. The influences of social stigma, family and community acceptance, and maternal mental health on the parenting index were assessed in univariate and multivariable analyses. The majority of mothers reported positive attitudes toward their children from SVRPs. Prevalence of perceived family or community stigma toward the women or their children ranged from 31.8% to 42.9%, and prevalence of p...
Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 2015
At the end of World War II and during the first decade after the war, roughly 200,000 children we... more At the end of World War II and during the first decade after the war, roughly 200,000 children were fathered in intimate contacts between German women and foreign soldiers. The experiences of these German occupation children (GOC) have been so far described in case reports and from historical perspective only. Research on psychosocial consequences of growing up as a GOC has been missing so far. This study examined traumatic experiences, posttraumatic stress disorder, somatization, and depression in GOC (N = 146) using self-report instruments: Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire. Findings have then been compared with a representative birth cohort-matched sample from the German general population (N = 977). German occupation children showed significantly higher prevalence rates of most traumatic experiences, higher point prevalence rates of full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and somatization than the control group. In summary, GOC often grew up under difficult conditions (e.g., poverty, single mothers, and stigmatization). Even decades later, they showed higher rates of different mental disorders and higher comorbidity. These findings underline the complex and long-term impact of their burdened social, financial, and familial conditions. The results underpin the importance of conceptualizing occupation children as a vulnerable group in postconflict settings.
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, 2015
Greifswald, Department Neurowissenschaften (FONE-100) und ein Promotionsstipendium des Freistaate... more Greifswald, Department Neurowissenschaften (FONE-100) und ein Promotionsstipendium des Freistaates Sachsen für die Erstautorin ermöglicht. Kurztitel, deutsch: Eine empirische Studie zu den deutschen Besatzungskindern English title: Growing up as occupation child of World War II in Germany: Rationale and methods of a study on German occupation children Short title, English: An empirical study on German occupation children Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Die Erfahrungen der deutschen Besatzungskinder wurden bisher vorrangig im historischen Kontext beschrieben. Empirische Forschung zu psychosozialen Konsequenzen des Aufwachsens als Besatzungskind fehlte bislang. Die Arbeit stellt Hintergrund, methodisches Vorgehen und Stichprobe der ersten deutschsprachigen empirischen Untersuchung dazu dar; beschreibt methodische Herausforderungen und Lösungswege. Methoden: Besatzungskinder stellen eine schwer erreichbare Zielgruppe dar (Hidden Population). Daher bedarf es bei der Untersuchung sowohl des Einbezugs von Personen aus der Zielgruppe als auch wissenschaftlicher Experten (partizipativer Ansatz) und besonderer Zugangswege. Der verwendete Fragebogen enthält adaptierte etablierte und psychometrisch validierte Instrumente sowie auch angepasste bzw. eigenentwickelte Items. Es wurden N=146 deutsche Besatzungskinder (mittleres Alter 63.4 Jahre, 63.0% Frauen) über Presseaufrufe und Kontakt zu Plattformen von Besatzungskindern schriftlich befragt. Zusammenfassung: Trotz methodischer Herausforderungen konnte mittels partizipativer Methoden ein Instrumentarium für die Zielgruppe entwickelt werden, welches eine hohe Relevanz für diese hat und von ihr akzeptiert wird. Die hohen Teilnehmerraten von amerikanischen und französischen Besatzungskindern zeigen den Einfluss der Vernetzung in Plattformen auf den Erfolg der Rekrutierung.
Frontiers in political science, Sep 13, 2022
Objective: Children Born of War (CBOW) are an international and timeless phenomenon that exists i... more Objective: Children Born of War (CBOW) are an international and timeless phenomenon that exists in every country involved in war or armed conflict. Nevertheless, little is known on a systematic level about those children, who are typically fathered by a foreign or enemy soldier and born to a local mother. In particular, the identity issues that CBOW often report have remained largely uninvestigated. In the current qualitative study we began filling this gap in the scientific literature by asking how CBOW construct their identity in self-descriptions. Method: We utilized thematic content analysis of N = German CBOWs' answers to an open-ended questionnaire item asking how they see themselves and their identity in the context of being a CBOW. Results: We identified five key themes in CBOW' identity accounts. Loneliness and lack of belonging appeared as a paramount aspect of their self-descriptions next to narratives about belonging and positive relationship. On a less interpersonal basis, we found fighting and surviving and searching for truth and completion overarching aspects of their identities. There were also few accounts growing up una ected by the fact of being born a CBOW. Although all themes portray di erent perspectives, they all (but the last one) clearly indicate the impeded circumstances under which CBOW had to grow up. Conclusions: Integrating our findings with existing interdisciplinary literature regarding identity, we discuss implications for future research and clinical and political practice.
Die mit einer Pressemitteilung der Universitat Greifswald angekundigte Studie zur sexualisierten ... more Die mit einer Pressemitteilung der Universitat Greifswald angekundigte Studie zur sexualisierten Gewalt am Ende des II. Weltkrieges erzielte eine so grose und komplexe Resonanz bei Betroffenen, Interessierten und in den Medien, dass ein vielschichtiges Erfahrungs- und Meinungsbild zu dem bislang im offentlichen Diskurs kaum thematisierten Traumageschehen entstand. Der vorliegende Artikel versucht, typische Diskussionsbeitrage beispielhaft zu zitieren und psychotraumatologisch zu kommentieren. Samtliche Mitteilungen von Betroffenen sind vollstandig anonymisiert und bezuglich biografischer Details verfremdet.
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, 2016
Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Obwohl der Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkriegs in diesem Jahr bereits ... more Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Obwohl der Ausbruch des Zweiten Weltkriegs in diesem Jahr bereits 75 Jahre zuruckliegt, haben noch heute viele Personengruppen in Deutschland unter den psychischen Nachwirkungen dieses einschneidenden Ereignisses zu leiden. Mit der vorliegenden Arbeit sollte untersucht werden, inwiefern sich das Schicksal eines vermissten deutschen Soldaten des Zweiten Weltkriegs auf die seelische Befindlichkeit der Hinterbliebenen, vor allem der Kinder und Enkel, auswirken konnte. Methode: Hierzu wurden imNamen der Forschungsgruppe 250 aktuelle Suchantragsteller von der Deutschen Dienststelle (WASt) angeschrieben und zur Teilnahme an der Befragung aufgefordert, von denen 89 Personen den Fragebogen zumindest teilweise ausreichend beantworteten. Die einzelnen Fragebogenteile bestanden aus dem PTSS-10, dem BSI-18, einem Fragenkatalog zumUmgang mit uneindeutigen Verlustereignissen (Boundary-Ambiguity-Scale) und einem abschliesenden Fragebogenteil zur komplizierten Trauer. Ergebnisse: Die Stichp...
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2019
Objectives Children Born of War (CBOW) are important but largely uninvestigated populations. As a... more Objectives Children Born of War (CBOW) are important but largely uninvestigated populations. As a result of being fathered by a foreign soldier and born to a local mother, these children often struggle with identity issues and search for their absent fathers their whole lives. Despite CBOW being a part of every society, which has been involved in armed conflicts, there is almost no systematic research about them. Methods We provided a systematic insight into issues of identity that many CBOW face throughout their lives by assessing N = 146 German and N = 101 Austrian Occupation Children born after WWII. We applied a descriptive analysis of our quantitative questionnaire data. Results Our results suggest that CBOW were often not told the truth about their origin until they were adults. The older they were, the more the disclosure seemed to impact them. After learning the truth, almost all CBOW set out on a search for their biological fathers and wanted to get in touch. Approximately half were able to locate them but many of those had not contacted them eventually. German and Austrian Occupation Children report largely similar experiences. Conclusions Growing up as a CBOW can come with specific difficulties. Locating and getting to know their biological father seems to be a core aspect. It seems particularly important to CBOW to find out about similarities in personality and physical appearance. The possibilities to find their fathers, however, are extremely limited. Implications of the findings are discussed within the context of limitations and potential intervening factors.
International journal of mental health systems, 2017
Sexual violence is prevalent in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has potentially de... more Sexual violence is prevalent in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has potentially devastating psychosocial consequences. Previous studies have reported on sexual violence and its impact on the mental health of survivors, but there are few studies conducted among women with sexual violence-related pregnancies (SVRPs). Women with SVRPs may be at greater risk of complex psychosocial outcomes, including social stigmatization. This study aimed to describe psychosocial outcomes among this subgroup of sexual violence survivors in order to inform future interventions. A mixed methods study was conducted in Bukavu, DRC in 2012 among adult women who self-reported an SVRP and either (1) were currently raising a child from an SVRP (parenting group) or (2) had terminated an SVRP (termination group). This manuscript presents qualitative findings from the mixed methods study. Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and a proportion engaged in semi-structured quali...
Der Nervenarzt, 2015
ABSTRACT The number and type of traumatic experiences show differential associations with posttra... more ABSTRACT The number and type of traumatic experiences show differential associations with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The associations of number and type of traumatic experiences with PTSD were investigated in a representative population sample in Germany. Traumatic experiences and PTSD were assessed with a self-rating questionnaire in a sample of 2510 participants from the general German population. The risk of (partial) PTSD increased with an increasing number of traumatic experiences. In contrast interpersonal and accidental traumatization showed no substantial differences with respect to the risk of PTSD. To quantify the relevance of the number and type of traumatic experiences for onset and persistence of PTSD, a multidimensional and complex assessment of those experiences is necessary. This is a great challenge in epidemiological research on this topic.
Acta medica academica, 2017
Should the definition of the term "children born of war" and vulnerabilities of children from rec... more Should the definition of the term "children born of war" and vulnerabilities of children from recent conflict and postconflict settings be broadened?
International Psychogeriatrics, 2017
ABSTRACTBackground:Children born of war are a common phenomenon of conflict. In the aftermath of ... more ABSTRACTBackground:Children born of war are a common phenomenon of conflict. In the aftermath of World War II, more than 200,000 German occupation children (GOC) were fathered by occupation soldiers and born to local women. GOC often grew up under difficult conditions and showed high prevalence rates of mental disorders even decades later.Methods:Experiences of childhood maltreatment and their association with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and somatization in GOC (N = 146) are investigated and compared with a representative birth-cohort-matched sample (BCMS) from the German general population (N = 920).Results:Outcomes show significantly higher prevalence rates of emotional abuse/neglect, physical, and sexual abuse in GOC compared to BCMS. All five subtypes of childhood maltreatment increase the risk of PTSD and somatoform syndrome; depressive syndromes are associated with emotional abuse/neglect and physical abuse. GOC were at high risk of childhood maltreatment...
Aging & mental health, Jan 28, 2016
Children born of war are a phenomenon of every conflict. At the end of World War II and thereafte... more Children born of war are a phenomenon of every conflict. At the end of World War II and thereafter, approximately 400,000 children were fathered by foreign soldiers and born to local women in Germany. Quantitative research on psychosocial consequences of growing up as German occupation child (GOC) has been missing so far. This study examines adult attachment and its association with current depression in GOC (N = 146) using self-report instruments: Adult Attachment Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire. Data were compared to a birth-cohort-matched representative sample of the German population (BCMS; N = 786). GOC differ in both attachment dimensions (less comfortable with closeness/intimacy, lowered ability to depend on others) and adult attachment (more dismissive and fearful) compared to BCMS. Insecure adult attachment is associated with current depression. GOC grew up under difficult circumstances (e.g. poverty, adverse events, and stigmatization). Even decades later they display ...
Die Langzeitfolgen des Zweiten Weltkrieges fur die heutige altere Bevolkerung Deutschlands sind i... more Die Langzeitfolgen des Zweiten Weltkrieges fur die heutige altere Bevolkerung Deutschlands sind inzwischen gut untersucht. In den letzten Jahren ruckte die Frage nach moglichen Auswirkungen der Kriegstraumatisierungen auf die nachfolgende Generation im Sinne einer transgenerationalen Ubertragung in den Fokus. Empirische Studien zu diesem Thema fur die deutsche Kriegsgeneration sind jedoch kaum zu finden. Im Ubersichtsartikel werden die Forschungsansatze und -ergebnisse anhand des integrativen Modells von Kellermann (2001) aus der Holocaustforschung dargestellt. Dabei werden Inhalte und Modelle der transgenerationalen Ubertragung unterschieden Die Befunde aus der Holocaustforschung liefern keine eindeutigen Hinweise auf transgenerationale Weitergabe traumatischer Erfahrungen im Sinne einer spezifischen Psychopathologie. In klinischen Stichproben zeigte sich eine erhohte Vulnerabilitat fur psychische Erkrankungen, die insbesondere bei Stressbelastung oder kritischen Lebensereignissen zum Tragen kommt. Die Ergebnisse werden kritisch diskutiert und Forschungsimplikationen fur die Untersuchung der transgenerationalen Ubertragung von der deutschen Kriegsgeneration auf deren Nachkommen werden abgeleitet.
Der Nervenarzt, 2015
Primary care settings have an important gatekeeping function to detect mental diseases, including... more Primary care settings have an important gatekeeping function to detect mental diseases, including trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders. To assess the prevalence of trauma and posttraumatic symptoms in a first sample of northeast German primary care patients and to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the general practitioners. Traumatic experiences and posttraumatic stress disorders (PTSD) were assessed with self-rating questionnaires in a sample of N = 400 patients from 3 primary care facilities. Additionally, knowledge and diagnostic accuracy of the general practitioners were evaluated. According to the results of the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-15) data from all patients, the majority of patients questioned showed slight to moderate stress from somatic symptoms. Of the patients with complete data 7 % (n = 25) had a complete PTSD according to the results of the questionnaire, which was also identified in the medical assessment with a sensitivity of 40 ...
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, 2015
Pediatrics, Jan 5, 2015
Since armed conflict began in 1996, widespread sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of ... more Since armed conflict began in 1996, widespread sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has resulted in many sexual violence-related pregnancies (SVRPs). However, there are limited data on the relationships between mothers and their children from sexual violence. This study aimed to evaluate the nature and determinants of these maternal-child relationships. Using respondent-driven sampling, 757 women raising children from SVRPs in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo were interviewed. A parenting index was created from questions assessing the maternal-child relationship. The influences of social stigma, family and community acceptance, and maternal mental health on the parenting index were assessed in univariate and multivariable analyses. The majority of mothers reported positive attitudes toward their children from SVRPs. Prevalence of perceived family or community stigma toward the women or their children ranged from 31.8% to 42.9%, and prevalence of p...
Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 2015
At the end of World War II and during the first decade after the war, roughly 200,000 children we... more At the end of World War II and during the first decade after the war, roughly 200,000 children were fathered in intimate contacts between German women and foreign soldiers. The experiences of these German occupation children (GOC) have been so far described in case reports and from historical perspective only. Research on psychosocial consequences of growing up as a GOC has been missing so far. This study examined traumatic experiences, posttraumatic stress disorder, somatization, and depression in GOC (N = 146) using self-report instruments: Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire. Findings have then been compared with a representative birth cohort-matched sample from the German general population (N = 977). German occupation children showed significantly higher prevalence rates of most traumatic experiences, higher point prevalence rates of full and partial posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and somatization than the control group. In summary, GOC often grew up under difficult conditions (e.g., poverty, single mothers, and stigmatization). Even decades later, they showed higher rates of different mental disorders and higher comorbidity. These findings underline the complex and long-term impact of their burdened social, financial, and familial conditions. The results underpin the importance of conceptualizing occupation children as a vulnerable group in postconflict settings.
Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, 2015
Greifswald, Department Neurowissenschaften (FONE-100) und ein Promotionsstipendium des Freistaate... more Greifswald, Department Neurowissenschaften (FONE-100) und ein Promotionsstipendium des Freistaates Sachsen für die Erstautorin ermöglicht. Kurztitel, deutsch: Eine empirische Studie zu den deutschen Besatzungskindern English title: Growing up as occupation child of World War II in Germany: Rationale and methods of a study on German occupation children Short title, English: An empirical study on German occupation children Zusammenfassung Fragestellung: Die Erfahrungen der deutschen Besatzungskinder wurden bisher vorrangig im historischen Kontext beschrieben. Empirische Forschung zu psychosozialen Konsequenzen des Aufwachsens als Besatzungskind fehlte bislang. Die Arbeit stellt Hintergrund, methodisches Vorgehen und Stichprobe der ersten deutschsprachigen empirischen Untersuchung dazu dar; beschreibt methodische Herausforderungen und Lösungswege. Methoden: Besatzungskinder stellen eine schwer erreichbare Zielgruppe dar (Hidden Population). Daher bedarf es bei der Untersuchung sowohl des Einbezugs von Personen aus der Zielgruppe als auch wissenschaftlicher Experten (partizipativer Ansatz) und besonderer Zugangswege. Der verwendete Fragebogen enthält adaptierte etablierte und psychometrisch validierte Instrumente sowie auch angepasste bzw. eigenentwickelte Items. Es wurden N=146 deutsche Besatzungskinder (mittleres Alter 63.4 Jahre, 63.0% Frauen) über Presseaufrufe und Kontakt zu Plattformen von Besatzungskindern schriftlich befragt. Zusammenfassung: Trotz methodischer Herausforderungen konnte mittels partizipativer Methoden ein Instrumentarium für die Zielgruppe entwickelt werden, welches eine hohe Relevanz für diese hat und von ihr akzeptiert wird. Die hohen Teilnehmerraten von amerikanischen und französischen Besatzungskindern zeigen den Einfluss der Vernetzung in Plattformen auf den Erfolg der Rekrutierung.