Sara G. Pacichana-Quinayáz1, Gisel V. Osorio-Cuellar1, Stephanie Gonzalez2, Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar1, Maria I. Gutierrez-Martinez1
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5195/ijms.2015.194
Volume 3, Number 3: 170-171
Received 06 06 2015: Accepted 16 07 2015
Victims of violence have been exposed to trauma, which implies violation of their human rights and causes several consequences on their mental health. Studies among victims predominantly show a high level of depression, fear, social isolation, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms.1,2 These studies have generated intervention strategies that reduce mental health disorders in violence victims.3,4
Studies worldwide have shown the effectiveness of interventions for mental health among victims of violence, for example, with a cognitive-behavioral approach. In the last decade, there have been many randomized controlled trials (RCT) conducted in countries affected by violence, especially in Africa and Asia.3–5 Current evidence derived from these research studies were focused on the identification of symptoms, local validation processes, and the implementation of mental health interventions to determine the effectiveness of these strategies through experimental designs.6 In order to fully understand influential factors and appropriately assess mental health interventions, it is imperative to apply qualitative research studies to improve overall mental health research.
Psychological therapies have been proven by clinical trials to improve patients with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.7 Although qualitative studies evaluating mental health interventions are still incipient, their effectiveness cannot be ignored especially in countries with widespread violence. In particular, the principle of expansion and improvement of mental health interventions is supported by the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP). The program suggests that after the process of identification of effective interventions, it is necessary to assess the constraints in implementing them. These limitations operate at the community and domestic levels, as well as in mental health care services, such as the lack of infrastructure, institutional capacity, professional training, and social inequality.8 Given that these interventions have been tested mainly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), a qualitative methodology is appropriate to identify some of the social and administrative barriers of these particular contexts.9 As a result, qualitative studies and results provide a better understanding of the contextual settings of mental health interventions in relation to violence.
Other studies that have been done in Colombia show how qualitative methods contribute to the structuring of intervention programs through the understanding of the social meanings and subjectivities of people involved, as well as the recording and assessment of whether the actions were adjusted to the culture and social characteristics of the population.10–12 These studies have identified cultural and social factors such as community support, mourning customs, social and government care services, that are necessary elements in the quality of life and mental health of people, enriching the intervention strategies for the surviving population of the Colombian armed conflict victims. This has provided a better understanding of resilience within one of the most vulnerable population groups.13,14 While some results cannot be generalized, these studies provide insight into contexts with similarly affected populations; particularly an awareness to collective intervention needs, local appropriate intervention strategies, the perception of results in vulnerable areas and in nations with an active, armed conflict.11,14
In LMICs, the importance of describing and analyzing the perception of the phenomenon of mental health and interventions contributes to building effective and sustainable solutions to populations in vulnerable conditions. Therefore, complementation with qualitative studies can strengthen mental health research in a way that highlight the needs within each country, as well as compile, evaluate and disseminate lessons learned in the intervention process.
None
The Author has no funding, financial relationships or conflicts of interest to disclose.
Conception and design the work/idea: SGPQ, GVOC, FJBE. Collect data/obtaining results: SGPQ, GVOC. Write the manuscript: SGPQ, GVOC, SG, FJBE. Approval of the final version: SGPQ, GVOC, SG, FJBE, MIGM. Administrative or technical advice: FJBE. Critical revision of the manuscript: FJBE, MIGM.
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Sara G. Pacichana-Quinayáz, 1 Cisalva Institute, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Gisel V. Osorio-Cuellar, 1 Cisalva Institute, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Stephanie Gonzalez, 2 University of Central Florida, Miami, FL, USA.
Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar, 1 Cisalva Institute, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Maria I. Gutierrez-Martinez, 1 Cisalva Institute, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia.
About the Author: Sara is a physiotherapist and student of the master in epidemiology at Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia. She is currently involved in mental health projects as Assistant researcher at Cisalva Institute of Universidad del Valle.
Correspondence Sara G. Pacichana-Quinayáz, Address: Cisalva Institute, Universidad del Valle, Calle 4B#36-00, Building 100, Office 114, Cali, Colombia. Email: saragabriela.uv@gmail.com
Cite as: Pacichana-Quinayáz SG, Osorio-Cuellar GV, Gonzalez S, Bonilla-Escobar FJ, Gutíerrez-Martínez MI. Relevance of Qualitative Research Approach in Evaluating Mental Health Interventions among Victims of Violence. Int J Med Students. 2015 Sep-Dec;3(3):170-1.
Copyright © 2015 Sara G. Pacichana-Quinayáz, Gisel V. Osorio-Cuellar, Stephanie Gonzalez, Francisco J. Bonilla-Escobar, Maria I. Gutierrez-Martinez
International Journal of Medical Students, VOLUME 3, NUMBER 3, December 2015