Symptom change over time among Hmong refugees: Psychiatric patients versus nonpatients
Author(s):
Westermeyer, Joseph; Tou, Fu Vang; Neider, John
Format:
Journal article
Citation:
Psychopathology, Volume 17, Issue 4 (1984). pp. 168-177.
Language:
English
Abstract:
Investigated psychopathology and its course over time in 97 Laotian Hmong refugees in Minnesota. 17 psychiatric patients and 80 nonpatients were administered the Self-Rating Depression Scale and the SCL-90 and reassessed 2 yrs later. Ss were offered psychiatric services between assessments. Those who sought psychiatric care were compared with those who did not. The data indicated that, prior to receiving care, patients reported significantly more psychopathology than nonpatients on the Self-Rating Depression Scale and on 9 of 10 scales on the SCL-90. On the remaining scale of the SCL-90, patients showed more symptoms, but the difference was not statistically significant. The patients showed more improvement than the nonpatients between assessments. Overall, results indicate that Ss experienced the highest recorded 1-yr incidence rate (18%) of psychiatric disorder yet observed in any group of adults. (35 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)