Psychological sequelae of political persecution in East Germany: Emprisonment, threats to life, mistreatment as risk factors of chronic illness

In a sample of 384 former political prisoners in East Germany two assumptio ns were investigated: (1) Subjective perceptions of lite threat during arre st would increase the risk of subsequent persecution-related mental disturb ances, (2) the combination of life threat during arrest with maltrearment/t orture during imprisonment would further increase the risk of those sequela e. 62% study participants reported current mental complaints related to the ir imprisonment, most frequently sleep disturbances and various anxieties ( each 33%). 17% reported having been in a life-threatening situation during arrest, while 40% described maltreatment measures during imprisonment. Anal yses showed in accordance to the assumptions: Subjective life threat increa sed the risk for mental complaints with factor 1.9. Combination of life thr eat with maltreatment increased risk to 2.8. Specific analyses for various areas of complaints are provided. Methodological limitations of the study a nd implications for psychotherapy are discussed.