Serious Mental Health Conditions and Trauma in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Author Information
Author(s): Anne Stevenson, Girma Engida, Benon Kabale Kitafuna, Boniface Harerimana, Karestan C. Koenen, Soraya Seedat
Hypothesis
What is the extent, range, and nature of research about adults with serious mental health conditions being exposed to traumatic events in low- and middle-income countries?
Conclusion
The review highlights that trauma exposure among adults with serious mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries is significantly informed by a limited number of studies from a few countries, primarily focusing on interpersonal violence.
Supporting Evidence
- Most studies focused on interpersonal violence, such as sexual and physical violence.
- More than two-thirds of the studies came from just three countries: India, Ethiopia, and China.
- Future research should include more countries and types of trauma.
Takeaway
This study looked at how adults with serious mental health issues in poorer countries experience trauma, finding that most studies focus on violence and come from just a few countries.
Methodology
The scoping review synthesized literature from five databases and included various study designs, focusing on adults with serious mental health conditions in low- and middle-income countries.
Potential Biases
The findings may be biased due to the predominance of studies from only a few countries, which may not represent the broader context of low- and middle-income countries.
Limitations
The review is limited by the small number of countries represented and the lack of studies on man-made or natural disasters.
Participant Demographics
The studies included participants primarily from India, Ethiopia, and China, with a range of ages and both genders represented.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website