[Psychodiagnostics in Psychosocial Centers for Refugees].

Abstract

Objective: Accurate psychodiagnostics is crucial for diagnosing and ensuring quality treatment for individuals with mental health disorders. However, there is limited understanding of psychodiagnostic practices within Psychosocial Centers (PSZ) when dealing with refugees, particularly in the presence of language and cultural barriers and resource constraints. This study aims to evaluate the current status and potential pathways for enhancing culturally sensitive diagnostics in this context.

Methods: We conducted an online survey using a self-developed questionnaire with representatives from 32 PSZ to examine psychodiagnostic practices, barriers, and perceived development potentials, and analyzed the data descriptively.

Results: Most centers prefer individual case assessments over standardized diagnostics. Key barriers to using standardized questionnaires and interviews include communication difficulties (unfamiliarity with question formats, reading and writing difficulties) and resource limitations (time, translation). When conducting diagnostics, time constraints and prioritizing complex cases are the primary challenges. Additional assessments are needed for several disorders and languages. Employees are interested in receiving training in the field of culturally sensitive diagnostics.

Discussion: Diagnostic practice in the PSZs is characterized by numerous challenges that differ from the challenges in standard care. In order to ensure appropriate standardized diagnostics and care for mentally distressed people with a refugee or migrant background, further expansion of the linguistic and cultural adaptation of established diagnostic instruments is essential.

Conclusion: In the care of psychologically distressed refugees, culturally sensitive standardized diagnostics offer critical benefits for both practitioners and affected individuals. Existing resources are being referred to.