Development and validation of a new measure for forced migrants/refugees: the Screening of Refugees Self-Report (ScoRE-SR).

Abstract

Purpose: To remedy the lack of a measure that jointly assesses the psychological status and impact of migration stressors among forced migrants, we developed and tested the Screening of Refugees Self-Report (ScoRE-SR) Questionnaire.

Method: Four institutions with expertise on posttraumatic symptomatology and/or migration stressors developed the ScoRE-SR through an iterative process also involving consultation with migrants and experts. The measure consists of 54 items on functioning, migration stressors, and posttraumatic symptomatology. It was administered in English, Danish, Arabic, Farsi, Dari, and Tamil to migrants (N = 149) from different countries and residency types (citizen, permanent resident, holder of temporary protection visa, and Asylum Seeker) at refugee assistance institutions in Australia and Denmark.

Analyses: The measure's internal psychometric properties were evaluated through confirmatory factor analyses and test-retest (at 2-3 months) intraclass correlations. Its convergent validity was evaluated through correlating the measure with questionnaires expected to relate to it.

Results: The original 13 theoretical factors of the Score-SR showed adequate model-data fit, but CFAs indicated that a factor structure with 6 broader factors was more appropriate. These factors (emotional distress, anger, concerns about family/friends in other countries, concerns about family/friends in country of resettlement, adjustment/resettlement/practical difficulties, and impairment) were internally consistent, showed adequate temporal stability, and correlated as expected with measures of posttraumatic symptomatology and well-being.

Conclusions: The ScoRE-SR is a valid measure of different types of migrants' distress and/or adjustment, filling a current gap and providing essential information for migrants' guidance and treatment.