Anxiety, depression and coping strategies among victims of torture

International studies have shown victims of torture to be a highly traumatized population. Growing numbers of refugees and survivors of torture within the USA demand similar studies be done in the USA. Utilizing the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25, torture survivors at the Center for Victims of Torture were examined for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Strategies for coping such as religious association, emotional distancing and political beliefs, were assessed for correlations with symptoms. Results showed mean scores well above the 1.75 cut-off for psychological distress. A negative correlation between depression and age was found for males, while a positive correlation was found for symptoms and female gender. Employed as a coping strategy, "Religious beliefs" correlated with higher symptom levels at intake. The results point to a traumatized population of torture survivors residing in the USA, requiring psychological care.