TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1996//
TI  - Burmese political dissidents in Thailand: trauma and survival among young adults in exile
JO  - American journal of public health
A1  - Allden, K.
A1  - Poole, C.
A1  - Chantavanich, S.
A1  - Ohmar, K.
A1  - Aung, N. N.
A1  - Mollica, R. F.
SP  - 1561
EP  - 1569
VL  - 86
IS  - 11
N2  - OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the self-reported mental health, physical health, and social functioning of young adult political exiles and relates their psychiatric symptoms to their trauma and survival strategies. METHODS: A 1992/93 survey of Burmese who fled to Bangkok, Thailand, after participating in a 1988 uprising against Burma's government elicited information on employment, education, disability, trauma, survival strategies, and depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms. RESULTS: The 104 participants reported a mean of 30 trauma events, including interrogation (89%), imprisonment (78%), threats of deportation (70%), and torture (38%). Many reported poor health and lack of social supports, but few reported substantial social disability. The prevalence of elevated symptom scores was 38% for depressive symptoms and 23% for criterion symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. Symptoms of avoidance and of increased arousal were the most strongly related to cumulative trauma. Two survival strategies, camaraderie and a Buddhist concept of self-confidence (weria), were associated with somewhat reduced levels of both classes of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Burmese political exiles in Thailand are young adults adversely affected by severe trauma. Their psychosocial well-being may deteriorate further without legal protections to reduce the continuing stress and violence.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0090-0036
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -