Ethnomedical pathogenesis and Hmong immigrants' sudden nocturnal deaths
Author(s):
Adler, Shelley R.
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Culture, Medicine And Psychiatry, Volume 18, Issue 1 (1994-03). pp. 23-59.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Investigated Hmong traditional beliefs to isolate the trigger event underlying sudden unexpected death syndrome (SUNDS) among Hmong refugees. Interviews with 118 Hmong Ss revealed that dab tsog or nightmare attacks on Hmong men are more frequent as a result of recent and severe sociocultural change. These attacks can result in extreme stress for the victim. Compounded with factors such as the trauma of war, migration, rapid acculturation, and the inability to practice traditional healing and ritual, the power of traditional belief in the nightmare appears to cause cataclysmic psychological stress that can result in death from SUNDS among male Hmong refugees. Case studies of 4 men (aged 31–58 yrs) are also included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)