We conducted 10 focus groups (n = 49) with community members and key informant interviews (n = 28) to explore hardships and community coping strategies for sequelae of abuse among Burmese refugees/migrants in Thailand. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for major themes. In Burma, they universally experienced human rights violations and economic hardship. Hardships continued in Thailand through exploitation and threat of deportation. Coping was achieved through both personal and community-based mechanisms including self-reflection, sharing experiences, spirituality, and serving their community. Western psychosocial counseling, although available, was used infrequently. Effective psychosocial support often originates from the community and should be supported by international organizations. © Copyright 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Mental health Refugees Coping behavior human rights

information processing refugee Community Health Services community care poverty Thailand human epidemiology Refugees Asian continental ancestry group Adaptation, Psychological ethnology Human Rights Abuses qualitative research human rights abuse Humans psychology adaptive behavior migration Transients and Migrants Focus Groups