The impact of fear for family on mental health in a resettled Iraqi refugee community

The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of fear for family remaining in the country of origin and under potential threat on the mental health of refugees. Adult Mandaean refugees (N = 315) from Iraq, living in Sydney, Australia, were interviewed regarding fear for family in Iraq, fear of genocide, pre-migration trauma, post-migration living difficulties and psychological outcomes. Participants with immediate family in Iraq reported higher levels of symptoms of PTSD and depression, and greater mental health-related disability than those without family in Iraq. Intrusive fears about family independently predicted risk of PTSD, depression and disability after controlling for trauma exposure and current living difficulties. Threat to family members living in a context of ongoing threat predicted psychopathology and disability in Mandaean refugees. The effect of ongoing threat to family still living in conflict-ridden countries on the mental health of refugees should be further considered in the context of healthcare. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.