Exploration of Iranian Refugees’ experiences of completing the DEMO
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Content and Face Validity of the Farsi Adaptation of the Dissociative Experiences Measure Oxford (DEMO) for Iranian Refugees Experiences of Dissociation: A cognitive interview study
IRAS ID
339031
Contact name
Viktoria Stelikou
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Glasgow
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 4 days
Research summary
Background: Refugees may experience multiple traumatic events arising in the context of war, forced displacement and torture. These experiences may lead to dissociation. Dissociation is one way that the mind copes with too much stress. People with dissociation feel disconnected from memories, thoughts, feelings and are disconnected from the world around them. An important aspect of treatment is using appropriate measures that could assess dissociation. However, limited research has investigated adapting dissociation measures for refugees. There is a new dissociation measure called the Dissociative Experiences Measure Oxford (DEMO), that has incorporated recent understandings of dissociation. However, this measure has not been explored in a culturally diverse population.
Aims and Questions: To explore the experiences of Iranian refugees when they interact with the DEMO and how their experience and input of this can influence culturally adapting the DEMO, and perhaps aid a cultural understanding of dissociation in this population. We are also interested to see if the Farsi-version of DEMO has content and face validity.
Methods: This study will use cognitive analysis to interview 6-8 Iranian refugees aged 16+ years old and they will have experiences of dissociation. The recruitment will take place from NHS GGC CMHTs and the Anchor Centre, and participants will be interviewed about their experience of using DEMO. The clinicians will give a participant information leaflet to eligible individuals and if they participants want to take part, the clinicians will contact the primary researcher and share their details with them. Participants can withdraw their consent at any time. If participants experience distress, support and adjustments will be provided such as taking a break and using clinical skills for grounding. The interviews will be recorded and transcribed by the researcher. They will be analysed using thematic analysis. This method is used to cluster that information under themes.REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
24/NS/0112
Date of REC Opinion
15 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion