Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
Volume 177, Issue 3, 1989, Pages 132-139

Psychosocial adjustment of hmong refugees during their first decade in the united states: A longitudinal study (Article)

Westermeyer J.* , Neider J. , Callies A.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, United States
  • b Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, United States
  • c Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, United States

Abstract

Over their first decade in the United States, 100 Hmong refugees were studied on three occasions. Data included demographic characteristics, acculturation skills, traditional affiliations and pastimes, material acquisitions, psychosocial problems, and self-rating scales. In addition to a description of the data changes, a multiple regression analysis was per-formed. Changes demonstrated considerable evidence of acculturation, psychiatric care seeking, and greatly reduced symptom levels for several symptom complexes. However, a large minority of subjects remain illiterate, unable to speak English, generally involved with other Hmong but not with the majority society, and/or have high symptom levels on self-rating scales. Regarding symptom changes, depression, somatization, phobia, and self-esteem symptoms improved the most with time and acculturation. On the contrary, anxiety, hostility, and paranoid symptoms changed little. Multiple regression analyses indicated that strong traditional ties (e.g., large household size, being an herbal healer), older age, marital problems, and medical complaints were most associated with high symptom levels. © 1989 by The Williams & Wilkins Co.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

depression refugee psychological aspect Laos human epidemiology Refugees Longitudinal Studies priority journal Adaptation, Psychological rehabilitation Minnesota psychosocial environment attitude computer analysis male Acculturation female Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. social adaptation major clinical study adult Social Adjustment Middle Age

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0024514916&doi=10.1097%2f00005053-198903000-00002&partnerID=40&md5=573debc3599c525011df3a5a78843781

DOI: 10.1097/00005053-198903000-00002
ISSN: 00223018
Cited by: 87
Original Language: English