Exposure to Drug-Related Killings and Its Psychological Consequences in the Philippines

The rise in drug-related killings (DRKs) in the Philippines has raised concerns about the mental health of those exposed to violence. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of exposure to DRKs with reference to drug use status and to analyze the association between the exposure and mental health. The authors recruited 540 adults from the community and a drug rehabilitation program in an urban-deprived area. The authors used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale to assess mental distress and the Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Screen for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition to determine probable posttraumatic stress disorder. A high number of participants had been bereaved due to a DRK (9.8%), had directly witnessed a DRK (13.1%), and had been exposed to media reports on DRKs on a daily/weekly basis (51.3%). Bereavement and direct witnessing were reported more by those with current drug use (22.4% and 23.7%), compared to by those without history of drug use (6.2% and 10.5%). Bereaved participants were more likely to experience severe mental distress (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.69, p = .01). Those who had witnessed a DRK were more likely to experience moderate mental distress (AOR = 1.87, p = .04) and probable posttraumatic stress disorder (AOR = 1.88, p < .001). Those exposed to media reports on DRKs on a daily/weekly basis were more likely to experience moderate mental distress (AOR = 5.10, p = .04). The findings highlight the negative ramifications of DRKs on the mental health of exposed parties and the importance to connect those affected with mental health services.