[Traumatic Events, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Utilization of Psychotherapy in Immigrants of Polish Origin in Germany]

Abstract

In 253 persons of Polish origin in Germany traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were examined with the Essen Trauma Inventory (ETI). The utilization of psychotherapy and psychotropic drugs as well as the preferred language in the psychotherapy were also measured. At least one traumatic event was reported in 77.5% of the probands. Severe disease (52.6%) and death or loss of an important person (32.0%) were reported most frequently. In the psychometric assessment indices for a positive PTSD diagnosis were given among 6.2%. At the time of investigation, 3.6% of the immigrants were in psychiatric/psychotherapeutic treatment or were taking psychotropic drugs, respectively. More than half (53.9%) of the sample preferred Polish as the language for the psychotherapy. The study demonstrates a high frequency of PTSD in immigrants of Polish origin.