Migration and mental health among Hmong refugees: Association of pre- and postmigration with self-rating scales
Author(s):
Westermeyer, Joseph; Vang, Tou F.; Neider, John
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Journal Of Nervous And Mental Disease, Volume 171, Issue 2 (1983-02). pp. 92-96.
Language:
English
Abstract:
To date, there have been no epidemiological studies of a refugee population using self-rating scales. This method was used in the present study of 97 Hmong refugees (average age 31 yrs) in Minnesota. Self-reported symptoms (on the Self-Rating Scale for Depression and the Symptom Check List-90) were compared with pre- and postmigration factors to assess those characteristics associated with increased symptom reporting. Relatively few premigration factors influenced these self-reports, whereas several postmigration factors were significantly correlated with symptoms (e.g., access to someone knowledgeable about both American and Hmong cultures; use of native healers). Findings suggest certain interventions that might enhance the adjustment of subsequent refugees. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)