Social Science and Medicine
Volume 28, Issue 3, 1989, Pages 183-195

Catastrophic stress and factors affecting its consequences among Southeast Asian refugees (Article)

Beiser M.* , Turner R.J. , Ganesan S.
  • a Division of Social and Cultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada
  • b Division of Social and Cultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada
  • c Division of Social and Cultural Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A1, Canada

Abstract

Effects on mental health of the stress of being interned in a refugee camp were assessed in a community survey of 1348 Southeast Asians. The impact on depressive mood proved significant but short-lived. Social support derived from the ethnic community and from an intact marriage moderated the risk of developing depressive symptoms, apparently by enhancing a sense of identity and belongingness. A psychological coping mechanism-avoidance of the past-buffered the impact of camp stress on depressive symptoms. While refugees brought into the country under private sponsorship were expected to have a mental health advantage compared to those admitted under government sponsorship, this hypothesis was not confirmed. Private sponsorship, carried out by individuals or groups whose religion differed from the refugees they were supporting, acted as a source of stress. © 1989.

Author Keywords

Depression Disaster Southeast Asian refugees Stress

Index Keywords

Vietnam depression refugee psychological aspect survival Laos Follow-Up Studies mental health human Refugees social support disaster religion Acculturation stress Review Disasters refugee camp Support, Non-U.S. Gov't adult Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ethnic or racial aspects Adjustment Disorders British Columbia Southeast Asian refugees government sponsorship
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0024475586&doi=10.1016%2f0277-9536%2889%2990261-X&partnerID=40&md5=106d99c0b0d24ee603d7ace4dd6f8ef6
DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(89)90261-X
ISSN: 02779536
Cited by: 115
Original Language: English