International migration has been associated with increased levels of psychological disturbance, particularly among refugees who have fled from war or political unrest. This study examined selfreported symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, generalized distress, and posttraumatic disorder (PTSD) in a community sample of 258 immigrants from Central America and Mexico and 329 native-born Mexican Americans and Anglo Americans. Immigrants were found to have higher levels of generalized distress than native-born Americans. Fifty-two percent of Central American immigrants who migrated as a result of war or political unrest reported symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of PTSD, compared with 49 percent of Central Americans who migrated for other reasons and 25 percent of Mexican immigrants. The authors call for more research to document the psychosocial aspects of migration.

[No Keywords available]

anxiety depression psychological aspect human Refugees Adaptation, Psychological Central America Psychological Tests Mexico Hispanic Americans United States male Acculturation female Risk Factors Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. major clinical study adult Social Environment migration posttraumatic stress disorder Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic Emigration and Immigration somatization