Epidemiological description of 529 families referred for French transcultural psychotherapy: A decade of experience

BACKGROUND: Transcultural psychotherapy (TPT) is an original therapeutic method developed in various forms in France and several other countries in Europe as well as North America to address issues of migrant mental health care when psychosocial, economic, or cultural barriers hinder its accessibility and effectiveness. This study aims to describe the patients referred for TPT in Paris and its suburbs over the past decade, to examine intercultural differences and associations with social, demographic, and clinical variables, and to assess TPT in terms of patient adherence, attendance, and duration of care. METHOD: Retrospective study of 529 patients referred for TPT care, classified in three categories–no treatment, initiated treatment, engaged and continuing treatment. Collection and analysis of social, demographic, cultural, and clinical data, as well as of country of origin, duration of treatment, number of sessions attended (adherence), and number of sessions scheduled. RESULTS: In all, 301 patients from 45 countries participated in an 11-month course of care lasting an average of 8 sessions. Most were children, accompanied by their families. The main psychiatric symptoms at the beginning of treatment were depressive, and the main cultural problem identified was the existence of a traditional theory explaining the illness in the family's culture. Patients kept 80% of their appointments for sessions, and attendance was not associated with socio-cultural or clinical variables. CONCLUSION: The high level of treatment adherence and attendance over time suggest that TPT is an effective method for addressing complex symptoms experienced by migrant families. Results highlighted the potential richness and originality of studies based on retrospective medical data.