This paper is a preliminary report on the clinical observations of a group of 56 Southeast Asian refugee patients who have resettled in Ontario, Canada and who have been referred to the author during the past three years (1978-1981). Depression and anxiety with a high prevalence of somatization were the most common problems. The refugees' adaptational difficulties are reviewed and the cultural aspects of somatization are discussed. Cultural factors must be a critical variable in the process of designing a therapeutic and preventive approach for work with the Southeast Asian refugees. The focus of the therapeutic intervention should be directed at two broad objectives: to resolve problems due to losses and to ease the impact of culture shock and adjustment difficulties.

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anxiety cultural anthropology central nervous system depression adaptation psychological aspect psychosomatics human Refugees Aged geographic distribution Mental Disorders Adolescent male Canada female Psychophysiologic Disorders adult ethnic or racial aspects Asia, Southeastern Middle Age